WEEKLY Arrows from Zion 4/6/2016

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 Apr 6, 2016

This morning before preparing the Arrows from Zion to send out today, we are seeing a common theme from different U.S. ministry voices we respect.  Not that all our trouble in the world is resolved - not by a long shot - but the good report is that God is now moving to raise up the David's - the Remnant - who have been being exercised by opposition to develop godly character for such a time as this. 

One of those US voices said that God asked the prophet Samuel to anoint Saul to be Israel's commander, but not to be Israel's king as God would later tell Samuel to anoint David as King. ... God is removing and taking Saul out from positions of power and authority in the government of the United States and around the world, as well as in the Church establishment, because it is time to prepare Israel for her Messiah.  Therefore, the time period of David's waiting – a time of trouble and much confusion – is coming to an end. It is crucial that as we find ourselves at the end of this waiting period, that we make the right choices and decisions and not lose all the years that the Lord has tested and "de-Saulized" us.

Another passed along this word he received this morning: "You have labored faithfully, for years and even decades, in the shadows, in obscurity, unnoticed, hidden, in a small place. This has provided a life-time of pruning and preparation, of trial and testing. ... You will soon see that in this time of moral confusion, political weirdness, spiritual deception, and economic uncertainty that you have been groomed for this hour....Your strengths and your ability to hear from God, the spirit of wisdom and revelation will be needed in the season ahead of us, and you will remember this word, knowing that you have come to the Kingdom for such a time as this!"

This message fits well with our lead feature this week - that had been picked out yesterday to lead in the prayer summary. It is a video teaching from Ron Cantor.

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.

Starting off with an excellent teaching by Ron Cantor on video 7 Steps to Surviving a Personal Attack.  Did you know that personal attacks are the training ground for developing godly character? In the hurt and anger it is easy to miss the point that God wants us to come through it better, not bitter. This is exactly how, "all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose."  This wasn't just a training exercise for the future king David; it is also for you and me.

Eric Benson heads the House of Victory rehab ministry that is out of the Kehilat (Congregation) HaCarmel in northern Israel.  I have nothing but the deepest respect for those who labor among the addicted people of the street that everyone else has given up on. To pull these lives from the fire to set them on the Rock of Yeshua is a real walk of faith and love.  Eric shares an excellent teaching on our "priestly garments" inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary.  You will be blessed by it and his report on the ministry work.

Eric writes, "It is our vision to restore a holy Priesthood in the Land of Israel. Clean robes of righteousness are foundational for this purpose. In the story of the prodigal son, the father tells his servants upon his boy's return; "Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him." We have responsibility to help each man in our house to be clothed in the righteousness of Jesus the Messiah. We have the revelation of his ancient truth because we serve a God who does not change. We thank you for your commitment to standing with us. Together we will be faithful to preserve the priestly garments."

Benson also talks about the bomb shelter which David & Karen Davis used for protection during the first Iraq was when Saddam Hussein was raining scud missiles down on Israel in 1991. Today the Israeli military warns that Haifa residents will have less than 1 minute to enter bomb shelters making the structure the Davis' used for protection obsolete.  The HaCarmel ministry, and many other across Israel working to provide bomb shelters for their congregations, ask for your prayers and financial support to make ready for what everyone in Israel knows is surely coming: more war, more threat to Israelis' lives.

Avi Mizrachi of Dugit in Tel Aviv has a word of encouragement in, "Abba, Do You Have Electricity?" .  The ministry also shares about their summer plans for a team of Jewish and Arab Israeli believers to do outreach to the refugees that have washed up on the shores of Greece and entering through her boarders.  This is an awesome opportunity to show them the love of God, a powerful love that can bring two peoples together as one new man in Yeshua.  Some of the acts of love we are planning include giving out aid on the borders and camps, organizing worship and ministry sessions in the cities, receiving those who first arrive in the beaches with love and prayer, and spending quality time with the children in the camps.  Click here to learn more

Inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary you can learn more about their congregational search for a new facility (with $1 million sitting in their account but an extremely tough commercial real estate market to deal with), and also the Dugit Tour of Israel for Nov 27-Dec 5, 2016.  If you are planning to visit Israel, you really do owe it to yourself to get the insider's view from one of the many congregations in Israel that offer tours. That way you will not just see the ancient sites but you will wade in deeper to God's plans for Israel's salvation in our day! 

Since Dani Sayag moved from pastoring the Karem-El congregation to the senior pastor of Kehilat HaCarmel, the Karem-El (God's Vineyard) kehilat has commissioned two of its own young men as pastors and elders of the congregation: Yonatan Arnold and Stefan Silver.  This is also a "one new man" congregation as is its mother, Kehilat HaCarmel.  Read inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary about recent ministry from both Jew and Arab ministers, pastor Marwan Beem and Ethiopian Jewish pastor Avishalom.  There are some specific prayer requests from this northern Israeli congregation, you can find inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary.

We also have the personal ministry letter of pastor-elder Stefan Silver speaking about the big transition that has taken place in his family's life as he step into a pastoral role at Karem-El. Formerly Stefan was working with One-for-Israel | Israel College of the Bible, where his wife Karen is still involved and managing the Messianic counseling center as she wraps up her final year of MA studies. Karen is also pregnant with child #3. Lots going on in this young family of second generation Israeli believers.  We hope you will be praying for these young second generation Israeli believers raising their families and in the beginning years of their own ministries.  If it can be said that the children are our future, it can be said that these spiritual children are the spiritual future for the whole nation of Israel.  Their parents have laid the groundwork pioneering in the Land, and these are running with the vision to see "all Israel shall be saved."

In Ashdod, Israel Pochtar gives us a praise report regarding the Purim outreach events they held including humanitarian help for new Jewish immigrants and their children; a youth conference that gathered about 100 kids from all over southern Israel; and their participation a great pastors retreat for Jewish and Arab pastors on the Sea of Galilee.  Please read inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary pastor Pochtar's exciting report.

We didn't realize it, but Evan Thomas suffered multiple fractures to his left wrist, right shoulder, elbow and rib. Two surgeries later, he's still recovering, with months of intensive physiotherapy still ahead. Please pray for Evan's full and fast recovery.  He also gives an update about how they have pressed forward to advance despite the "dire economic circumstances at the end of 2015."

Evan writes, "... buoyed up by a clear word from the Lord. While everything on paper indicated a need for care and financial cut-back, the Lord was indicating that we needed to 'expand our tent pegs.' With financial support from Germany and a congregation in the USA, we successfully renovated and up-fitted a section of the facility, which had been standing idle over the past 12 months. This area has now been dedicated as a center for education and outreach among our young adults. They have named the center Ha Milchiya (The Salt-Shaker)."  Learn more about the Beit Asaph congregation in Netanya inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary

From the Maoz ministry of Ari & Shirya Sorko-Ram, Katy Smith writes about the terror spreading around the world, and how the hope in Israel is that Europe will begin to understand what Israel is going through and pressure them a little less. (Yes, some will but some won't - it is the issue that divides sheep and goats, for sure).  Katy writes, "Even Turkish President Erdogan, after three Israelis were murdered in Istanbul, expressed the desire of fighting terror together with Israel while putting our differences aside. Please PRAY for Europe.  PRAY for her leaders and her people.  May God have mercy on them, and may He open their eyes and hearts to see the truth about Israel, Islam and terror. PRAY for Israel's protection, wisdom for our leaders, and grace and peace for our soldiers, who are daily encountering life and death decisions. PRAY for terror to stop, and for Israel to be able to thwart all attacks planned against us."      Other news from Maoz inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary

She also brings an urgent request for a Tel Aviv believer, a young father who is in dire need of a liver transplant. Please pray for "E's" healing - and for his young family.

We often publish articles featured in KehilaNews.com, an exciting resource for teachings and articles from the Body of Messiah in Israel that is the brainchild of Joseph Magan.  Now Joseph Magan is the son-in-law of Beer Sheva pastor Howard and Randi Bass, married to their daughter Rotem. Recently Rotem gave birth to the couple's third child, and guess what proud grandparents sent a great family photo including the new little granddaughter, Elianna. See it and also news of the Bass' 36th wedding anniversary coming up.

Howard also sends us a report on the upcoming Passover Seder for the congregation and several of the congregations in nearby Arad.  You can get some insight on Howard's message for the night "the four 'I wills; from Exodus 6:6-8, plus the similarities to the Lord's Supper.  Bass also gives a good report on the 2016 Spring SAYF gathering of men - Jew and Arab - who serve in ministry in Israel. Plus other things hopping in Beer Sheva 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: 

Evan Thomas in rehab for serious arm fractures; E, a young family man &believer in Tel Aviv who needs a liver transplant ASAP, Richard Hyde, Rick Ridings 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.

Praying the Headlines

SOUTH AFRICA & ISRAEL—DRAWING GOD’S LINES TAUT
by Martin Sarvis
On the 10th of last month the Director General of Israel’s Foreign Ministry Dr. Dore Gold arrived in South Africa for an official visit, designed to improve relations between the two countries.  It was the first visit of a Foreign Ministry director to that nation in a decade.  Strong tensions have been in place between the two countries for many years.
 Read in full inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary

Teaching Articles

Four Levels of Paul’s Self-Description by Asher Intrater | When we truly understand both the greatness of our spiritual identity and calling, and at the same time our own weakness and failings, it can make us feel embarrassed or uncomfortable. The Apostle Paul (Saul) felt the same way; he referred to himself on four different levels from highest to lowest.

Highest –Like a “Super Apostle”: In arguments between Paul, Peter, James, John, Apollos and Barnabas concerning the work that he had done in European and Asia Minor, Paul felt he could not yield. This was not so much an issue of ego but of defining spheres of authority. He did not want others to confuse what God had done within his area of responsibility. In this context, Paul considered himself and his authority at the same level as those who were considered as “pillars” among the apostles (Galatians 2:6, 9) or even “super apostles” (II Corinthians 11:5; 12:11).

Medium High – “Least of Apostles”: When describing the witness of the resurrection and the fact that Yeshua had personally appeared to him, he needed to state his position as an apostle; but at the same time there was nothing to defend in comparison to anyone else. It was an issue of testimony for the gospel. So here he mentioned that he was part of the apostolic witness but at the same time referred to himself as the “least of the apostles” and even unworthy of that position (I Corinthians 15:9).

Medium Low – “Least of Saints”: In describing God’s glorious plan for all of those who love Him, Paul gives divine descriptions of us being filled even with “the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19). In this context, the promises are for everyone who believes. The inheritance is for all within the ecclesia, for all those being sanctified by the Spirit of God. Here there is no need for any explanation of position, so he simply refers to himself as “the least of the saints” (Ephesians 3:8).

Lowest – “Worst of Sinners”: In describing God’s grace towards us in salvation and the forgiveness of sins, the emphasis is again different. Here we see the greatness of Yeshua’s sacrifice for us on the cross despite our own unworthiness. In deep repentance for his previous sins—especially persecuting the believers- Paul recognizes the depths of his own sinful nature and therefore describes himself as “the worst of sinners” (I Timothy 1:13-15).

So we live in a paradox: God’s grace grants to us supernatural significance, identity and destiny, yet our own frailty and lack of ability lead us to the painful awareness of our own unworthiness and selfishness outside of God’s grace. So, “Just who do you think you are?” Well, with respect to God’s calling, it is “super.” With respect to our own abilities, it is “the worst.”

ALSO: In this video Asher shares about the Esther Fast we hosted last week and why it is so significant.

Israeli Ministries on Tours  |  Inside the attached Weekly Summary are itineraries and open dates for Avner, David & Jamie Kay Boskey of David's Tent.

________________________________________

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 go to www.PayPal.com My account is:  donna@israelprayer.com  I do not have tax exempt status.