WEEKLY Arrows from Zion 3/30/2016

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 30, 2016

Who shall separate us from the love of Messiah? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”  Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:35-37

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.

I loved what Howard Bass wrote in the beginning of his prayer letter this time because many times over the past 15 years of doing Israelprayer I have fielded my own 'complaint' department about what I put in the prayer letter (or what I don't!). Bass wrote:  "Some of you want only prayer points; some want primarily congregational news; others want to know what I might think or understand. As a famous U.S. president once said: You can please some of the people some of the time, but you cannot please all of the people all of the time. So, for better or worse, I send out what seems to be on my heart and mind at the time, and which I hope gives encouragement in the truth of our faith and also for prayer."

This is the point, isn't it? We read through these prayer letters to see whose expressions our spirits resonate with, so we can really get into agreement with those ministries.  To me, the Israeli ministries are like different kinds of music genres: I like all types of music, not just one kind and same with these different Israeli ministries - they are all making the music of heaven, as far as I'm concerned.

Howard shares his thoughts on the how Purim, Easter and Passover are strangely off this year, and also some evidence that the name 'Easter' is not derived from Ishtar.  He also shares "my comments about the Larnaca Statement here."  Howard doesn't shy away from controversial ground, argues his case respectfully and is always thought-provoking. He also has a statement and some videos on his conviction that Biblical Zionism will continue to come under increasing attack as the Balfour Declaration approaches its 100th anniversary in Nov 2017. Read more and get links inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary

In the USA we are in an incredibly important election, not only for our own nation, but also for Israel and the nations of the world. There is no doubt left after Obama's presidency, that the person who sits in the White House has a profound negative or positive effect on the world. Which is why I take to heart the call of Asher Intrater this week in his writing Anointing Oil for the Head of Government.  "There is a subtle dynamic between our spiritual faith communities and the governments leading our society. One day Yeshua, as King Messiah, will take over the kingdoms of this world.  In the meantime we are called to be a positive godly influence within our societies, through prayer, moral example and actions of social justice."  Click title to read in full

Revive Israel also gives us a recap of the Tikkun and Gateways Beyond meetings held last week - their ministries Board and the Gateways discipleship team.  Asher also shares about terror that hits very close to home - even when it strikes in Turkey. His daughter works for the small "foodies club" that terrorists followe from their hotel to the shopping district in Istanbul where they blew themselves up murder 4 and injuring 40.  Not only has Israel called her citizens out of Turkey, but so has the USA - a move we don't often see in a US administration playing dumb about Islamist terrorism. This is a must read inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary

Honestly, because I also follow Ron Cantor of Messiah's Mandate on Facebook, I seriously suspect his middle name is Ron Prolific Cantor!  Ron is a great communicator in many mediums and here are a few of the things he has put out over the last week: I am shocked at Pastor Robert Jeffress’ Comments! ; "Why is Paul Always Contradicting Himself?" (video) ; A Word for America (free ebook); The Most Misunderstood Verse in the New Testament (video); A blog about Esther: PURIM, of How an Orphan Girl stopped Genocide.

Heart of God Ministry, Carolyn and Richard Hyde open with Richard asking, "How many of you have been disappointed in how things have turned out - be it a family event, a project at work or even ministering before a congregation?  That's what happened to me."  Recent plans made for their ministry in France and Germany went awry, but in the end God showed He had the end of the story in His hands. You will enjoy reading about their experiences and also what God did that only He can do.  There is also an invitation for a unique experience in their home for those who are visiting Israel. It's called the LIVING STONES EXPERIENCE and having experience their hospitality for myself, I can tell you that you will be glad you scheduled this into your tour itinerary.

A few days ago a friend shared with me a video that the Hyde's son, Ariel, shot for the prayer group she is part of in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  It is such a delight to see the second generation Messianic believers who are running with the gospel in Israel with such great joy. You can read more from Carolyn and Richard inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary - including links to the wonderful worship music of Carolyn and friends.

Rachel Boskey of David's Tent tells us that hubby Avner, along with son David and his wife Jamie are off to the USA for the first three weeks of April. (Get the itinerary inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary). Rachel writes that in the last 6 weeks "Avner and I have ministered at a number of gatherings and conferences in various parts of Israel (in the far north, in Jerusalem and south of Beersheva), in addition to our weekly worship and prayer meetings, our weekly Bible studies and hosting guests in our home (from Norway, Canada, Spain, the US, the UK). We have both been connecting with Arab believers at events here in the land and rejoice in the deep love and true fellowship we experience as we join with them for the Lord’s purposes." If you get a chance to see the Boskey's during April - grab it!

From the Beit Hallel congregation in Ashdod, Israel Pochtar is delighted with an "announcement of victory and breakthrough regarding our building project! Through the generosity of our partners and the grace of God, we have raised all the needed finances and have officially purchased our new building. Hallelujah! We finally have our very own church building! Thank you Lord!"

Ownership of congregational properties is so key in Israel for the believers who have suffered being ejected from rental facilities when landlords were targeted by anti-messianic activists. So this is a big deal and no wonder Pochtar is so excited. Read more about what happens and several ways you can be involved next inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary

 Sally Shiff who is the lead intercessor and liaison for the HaMaayan congregation in Kfar Saba is in the US on an emergency trip to make new living arrangements for her elderly mother who has begun to deteriorate with Alzheimer's.  She writes, "I never realized how emotionally and physically draining this can be, and want to be there for my family." Please remember her, and the congregation in her absence.

Orna Greenman of A Sign & A Wonder also  writes a brief note to say she has a new blog up that will make it easier for her to share-on-run as "God continuously enlarges our boundaries through new projects, and through hearts that thirst to behold His glory clothed upon painful places in their lives. I have so many beautiful and exciting stories to share with you."

The Arad Hasdey Yeshua (Mercy of Yeshua) congregation in Arad writes about a great opportunity they recently had to instill in their young people to possess a servant's heart - just like the heroine of the Purim feast, Esther possessed.  You can read about it "The Tomato Story" inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary. 

They also alert us to a pressing prayer need: "There’s a war going on for the city of Arad. An article appeared in the newspaper Israel HaYom on 25th March which described Arad as a 'powder keg' ready to explode." The problem is that a "particular group of ultra-orthodox has been seeking control over the city, sometimes resorting to illegal activities."  They ask prayer for the situation there and special covering for the mayor, Nisan Ben Hamo " because the war, at least on a physical level, is directed at him.:  They are concerned about the safety of this mayor and his family - as well as the Messianic community in Arad who have often been targeted by this religious group over the years.

Lastly we have the report from Rick and Patti Ridings on the ordeal they have been walking through with their daughter's health.  You can read their report 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: 

Richard Hyde, 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.

Richard Hyde: While traveling Richard had several episodes of unstable angina and had to undergo another angioplasty after we returned home so thank you for keeping him in prayer for a healthy heart!

Rick Ridings' daughter: See the report in the ministry letters. Unfortunately Esther lost her baby several weeks ago, but her first MRI after surgery shows no signs of cancer. Please keep praying.

Praying the Headlines

Martin Sarvis in Jerusalem writes about "Eagles of Life and Eagles of Death" inside the attached Weekly Summary. An excerpt: 

"Eagles of Death  |  This week it was confirmed that the California rock band Eagles of Death Metal has scheduled itself to perform in Hanger 10 Tel Aviv on September 5th.  The band performed in Israel last July.  It was four months later on November 13th that  it gained world-wide notoriety when, at the Bataclan Theatre in Paris, the darkness its lead singer called for was suddenly manifest in a terrible way.  As they sang “Who’ll love the devil? Who’ll sing his song?  Who’ll love the devil and his song?  Who’ll kiss the devil?  Who’ll kiss his tongue?...I’ll love the devil!  I’ll sing His Song!  I’ll kiss the devil…”—as the frenzied sold-out audience joined in and sang along, many waving a “devil’s horn” gesture with their fingers, shots suddenly rang out.  Within the next half hour death reigned in the hall as Islamist terrorists with machine guns, grenades and bomb-belts wrecked carnage among the revelers. In the end, the hall was awash in blood, eighty-nine were slain, over 350 injured." 

Recommended

Desperately Seeking - A Window into Israel's spiritual climate  | Book Review by Daniel Juster  | Restoration from Zion in Jerusalem tikmin@tikkuninternational.org

" I recently finished reading the current #1 best seller in Israel, Catch the Jew!, by Tuvia Tenenbom. It was recommended to me by one of our young leaders. The book is sometimes bawdy, crass and indeed irreverent. And yet, this man of letters does provide a window into the reality of Israel and the Palestinians today. Even some reviews that take issue with the book note that it reveals some very important things." 

[ Israelprayer: The findings Dan Juster outlines from these books are very enlightening and will help you to intercede more strategically for God's desires for Israelis. ]

Israeli Ministries on Tours  |  BOOKING meetings now (See open dates)  Inside the attached Weekly Summary are itineraries and open dates for Kobi Ferguson of Yeshua Israel, and Avner Boskey and David & Jamie Kay Boskey of David's Tent

The Israeli Messianic Marketplace  Feature of the Week:

Terror is Terror is Terror by Calev Myers, the Jerusalem Institute of Justice |
Freedom of Religion and Social Justice in the Nation of Israel.
English site http://www.jij.org Hebrew site http://jij.org.il/ Email  contactus@jij.org.il

On Monday, one day before the appalling attack in Brussels, I participated in a five-hour session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva and heard hundreds of speakers spew anti-Semitic, obsessive, inaccurate condemnations of Israel. I will never forget this experience. It felt to me as if, ideologically, the railway lines are being laid once again in Europe to send us back to the ovens of Auschwitz. All I can say is, NEVER AGAIN.  Read more online here.

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Donna Diorio 
 arrowsfromzion@gmail.com or donna@d10r10.com
 
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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 go to www.PayPal.com My account is:  donna@israelprayer.com  I do not have tax exempt status.