Wednesday, July 21, 2021

From anti-God Unity to Unity in God | Arrows from Zion 7 21 2021

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"The Lord is for me among those who help me." Psalm 118:7



This morning I saw a very young and delighted father with the tiniest 1 week old baby girl; God drawing my eyes to the babies fathering babies.  Later in the afternoon while preparing Arrows for this week I saw a video by Joel Jelski who is the director of the Katzir Youth Camps in Israel. Katzir means Harvest.

What a moving testimony as Joel tells of a dream he had when he was only about 20, of finding a baby abandoned in a trash bin, crying its heart out—crying out for a father. The dream was surely spiritual and would lead Joel into the ministries he has labored in - the Israeli pro-life ministry and most recently becoming Katzir's director. The camps, which have been led for around 2 decades by Eitan Shishkoff, an Israeli minister widely known for his fatherly heart.

One thing about the ministries in Israel that Joel chose to labor in is that they go much deeper than their counterparts in the USA. For instance, the pregnant women in Israel's Messianic Pro-Life movement are really taken under deeper spiritual care and not just the financial aid they receive over the first year of the baby's life. It is not just about talking them into no abortion, which is good, but that is just where the ministry of Yeshua begins. They get emotional and financial help they will need to have a baby, not just to decide not to abort.  It’s a huge difference.   

I see how this dream that God gave Joel mapped out his life's work from a very young age. Many children are crying out for spiritual fathering. The Katzir Youth Camp begins Friday July 25-29. It's not just keeping kids in activities over the summer. It is a time where spiritual ministers are pouring their fatherly love into young people, expressing Abba’s love and building them up for their own journey in the faith.  Please be praying for the Katzir camp and for all the summer camps going on in Israel.


From anti-God Unity to Unity in God
by Chuck Cohen, Intercessors for Israel Jerusalem

PHOTO: The painting by Hendrick van Cleve, The Building of the Tower of Babel, surely is a reminder that man’s best anti-God plans cannot prevail over God’s own plans to redeem mankind.

Just seeing Chuck Cohen’s statement below reminds me how even the exile of the Jews from Israel —a judgment that opened the Door of salvation to the nations —will become God’s unifying tool as He continues to bring Jews in all the nations back to Israel.
“He used what was at first a judgment – various languages to prevent anti-God unity – into His tool to make of the many one Body." (Genesis 11 to Acts 2)  
      It is quite an astounding thought when we see all the disunity among us, but knowing that God has seen the end from the beginning, like the tower of Babel, our disunity does not stand a chance against the mighty God and His plan to make of us in reality “one new man.”

An excerpt from Chuck’s Watchmen for Israel monthly personal ministry letter:  Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898) said, "Politics is the art of the possible…A statesman…must wait until he hears the steps of God sounding through events; then leap up and grasp the hem of His garment."

     If we substitute a few key words, we get a great definition of intercession: Intercession is the art of the possible. An intercessor waits until he hears the steps of God sounding through events and then leaps up and grasps the hem of His garment – and is then led in those prayers that are in line with God's will (Amos 3:7).

     Babel confusion to Shavuot unity | Men built the tower of Babel to avoid being spread out, because they wanted to live in unity, and through unity, to reach God's throne. God forbade this from His fallen creatures; He confounded their language, and scattered them across the earth.

     On the first Shavuot [Pentecost] after Yeshua's resurrection, the Holy Spirit fell on 120 Messianic Jews who were worshipping Messiah in God's house in Jerusalem. God used their babel of languages – tongues – to tell of His wonderful works to the Jews from many different nations, adding another 3,000 Jews to the newly created Body of Messiah.

He used what was at first a judgment –
various languages to prevent anti-God unity
 – into His tool to make of the many one Body

(Rom. 12:5).

     In Messiah, even with our various opinions, we are one. Outside of Messiah there is no relationship with God, no covenants, no promises, no hope (Eph. 2:12), nothing but final destruction. We have the answer the world's existential question – which is Messiah and Him crucified – yet the world has turned so far from its Creator that it no longer knows how to ask the right question.

    Signs of the times | Intercessors for Israel received a question from a brother who was "intrigued" by Chuck's statement in a Friday Prayer Alert that while we may not be sure of what God is doing at this exact time in history, we do see Him setting the stage for the return of His Son. He asked what we saw as "clear signs". Chuck thanked him for mentioning "clear signs" because believers at times look for signs that occur in Scripture only once, or signs that are not clearly described, and then people have to guess whether this or that event is this or that "sign".

    Yet here are some clear signs in the world today:

    The good news of Messiah Yeshua has gone from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth and today is returning from the ends of the earth to Zion (Matt. 24:14; Acts 1:7-8).

    Since 1885, the scattered Jews are being regathered from the ends of the earth in significant numbers (Isa. 43:5-7; Jer. 31:10).

    As Ezekiel 37:10 describes, out of the graves of the Holocaust, God is making out of Israel an exceedingly great army – the IDF (Isa. 41:14-16: Mic. 4:11-13).

    As seen in the recent Gaza war, Jerusalem is still the main issue for Islam and the West, with no one except Jewish and Christian Zionists wanting Israel to possess it (Zech. 12:2-3; 14:1-4).

    Gentile Christians are helping in Israel's restoration (Isa. 40:1-2; 49:22; 60:1-11; Jer. 31:6-7).

    Israeli Jews are being saved and the Israeli Body is growing. That is important as Yeshua said that He would not return until He hears from Jerusalem, His chosen city, the proclamation, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of YHWH!" (Matt. 23:39).

    Exactly when He will come is anyone's guess, but the greatest sign is that all these signs are happening! Come, Lord Yeshua! (Rev. 22:17-21)

Excerpt from Watchmen from Jerusalem issue #2-2021, See also Friday Prayer Points July 16, 2021

7/14/21  Chuck & Karen Cohen  Intercessors for Israel in Jerusalem
http://www.ifi.org.il/  ifi@ifi.org.il  P.O. Box 28368  Jerusalem 91281  Israel
Donations for the Cohen’s Watchmen from Jerusalem:
Paypal or To receive tax credit in the USA, make checks payable to Shepherd Staff Ministries, designated for "Chuck & Karen Cohen," or "Watchmen from Jerusalem." Mail to: Shepherd Staff Ministries, PO Box 1187, Burlington, NC 27216


Arrows from Zion
Summarized from the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests Israeli Ministries

Israel Pochtar writes about Supporting Aliyah and Bible Prophecy. Also something of great importance to Israeli ministries: they need financial help for Israeli evangelists on their outreach staffs. Israel writes about the Beit Hallel Evangelist Team Chaim & Miriam, “They have literally laid down everything for the upward caling in Jesus.”  Here is a report on the Beit Hallel Women's Secrets Conference – “equipping women should be very high on our priority list.” Enjoy this video and article as  Pastor Israel visits the Druze Communities in the North. Plus their Back-to-School Project, Summer for God Youth Project and a praise report and thank you for all those who helped to “purchase and install a brand-new air-conditioning system in our main auditorium. “ You can partner  with this ministry in a specific project or in the overall ministry they are bringing to their people for the sake of the Gospel of Yeshua.

David and Josie Silver of Out of Zion do a Prayer for Israel Zoom meeting every Tuesday 9 pm Israel time. Go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82351582826 Write them for the PassCode david@outofzion.org  You can listen to David’s Midweek Update Video for  July 13, 2021 and for July 20, 2021 and visit the website for also read our teachings on the new Out of Zion website and watch our VIDEOS.  This ministry has been hampered by this long stretch of Covid restrictions from their usual international travel schedule bringing Christians understanding about their biblical relationship to Israel. So please avail yourself of the Zoom and YouTube meetings and consider becoming a support partner . Your help would make a great difference at this time.

From Sderot Michael and Dina Beener of the City of Life congregation continue helping the needy and traumatized people in the Israeli city closest to Gaza terror rockets. This week they are featuring the walkers they were able to distribute to the elderly, many of them Holocaust survivors, who have difficulties walking due to old age or medical problems: Helping The Elderly To Walk Again. They have a great many humanitarian aid projects for the needy in Sderot, and also a Messianic congregation that is speaking life over the people Hamas calls the city of the dead. Their work would not be possible without the help of partners from the nations. 

A super report from Ron Cantor on what all is going on at ShelanuTV – they are bearing fruit by sending the Gospel to Israelis in the Hebrew language.  Watch this VIDEO. Ron notes they are producing 8 different programs for a total of 115 episodes in the last 8 months. Each month they are reaching approximately 250,000 people in Israel online – and reached a quarter of a million people in June alone! Currently ShelanuTV is receiving 30 requests a month for books about the faith, including the New Testament which is not available in stores in Israel.  What an excellent way to seed into the Gospel of the kingdom in the land of Israel.   Ron writes, “We know that the people of Israel have suffered so much at the hands of 'so-called' Christians over the years, turning them off to the idea of Yeshua being the Messiah, but as this God-injected content is being released, we are weakening the walls of disbelief and bias, as cracks are forming, and the light of the truth is seeping through and reaching the hearts of the people. We are going to see a change in Israel as people turn towards the light of the life of Yeshua and are saved!” There is way more in this good report than I can share in Arrows but go learn more at ShelanuTV

From Tikkun Global, Asher Intrater writes that they’re happy to be able to meet again after a whole year in their Jerusalem congregation, Ahavat Yeshua. Asher writes about how they have encountered young and old people around the world disillusioned with their congregations of all forms. He writes, “The Corona year has caused us to rethink how we meet. There is a movement toward smaller groups living in proximity and toward wider groups meeting internationally on line. Different settings have different advantages and disadvantages. As followers of Yeshua, we are called to join ourselves in fellowship (koinonia) as part of a congregation (kehila). God loves His family. Don't just complain about others. God is our Father; we are His children. Sometimes we act dysfunctionally, but we are still family. Yeshua is building His church (ekklesia) – Matthew 16:18. We are part of this great endeavor. If nothing else, find a few other families, and start meeting together. Wherever two or three are assembled (synago) in His name, Yeshua will be present – Matthew 18:20.”  Excellent thoughts in my view.  He also writes, “Yeshua sees us as His "beautiful bride." We are in the process of getting ready. We are not ready yet. But we will be – Revelation 19:7. I don't think He likes people speaking evil all the time about His bride. “
     Also from Tikkun, download the PDF for the July edition for the Israel's Restoration magazine and read Return to Zion’s Leon Mazin writing, "I am quite excited..."  . Here is how you can partner with Tikkun Global Messianic Family which is dedicated to the restoration of the Church and Israel.

Enjoy Carolyn Hyde’s Music VIDEO The Latter Rain. She writes in their HeartofG-d.org ministry letter, “Today G-d's Spirit is being poured out in ways we couldn't imagine. Hearts are being softened and scales are coming off their eyes. The great harvest is beginning here in Israel. The rains are coming. We remember how a few years ago we were thrilled to hear that 24,000 Israelis saw our outreach videos over a three month period, but now over 45,000 are viewing our videos daily! Please pray for divine protection, inspiration and more laborers in the harvest field for these young men as they respond to local seekers and make new videos that proclaim Yeshua, the Holy One of Israel!” She and husband Richard also write about exciting things happening on ALTAR OF PRAYER on the streets! They invite “Please join us every Wednesday from 3-6PM Israeli time -Click here to register then enter here.” Carolyn and Richard will soon be touring in the US, here’s their schedule.  

From Tiferet Yeshua congregation in Tel Aviv: A Surprising Phone Call | A couple weeks ago, Victoria, our office manager, received an interesting call. She actually wasn't supposed to be in the office when the call came in asking, “Is this a Christian church?” They learned more: “It turns out that M. was working construction in the US when he fell from a building, suffering traumatic brain injury. He was in a coma, declared brain damaged when he woke up, and then put in a nursing home. There in the nursing home, M. had a revelation of Yeshua as the Messiah and says, ‘Yeshua healed me!’ He improved so much that he was able to call his family and ask them to come get him out of the nursing home.” But that is not where the extraordinary events end! Read more online click title.  You can also read about The 9th of Av, a solemn day of mourning and fasting for the Jewish world.

It has been a time of Bar and Bat Mitzvah’s in the Kiryat Yam Tents of Mercy congregation led by Avi and Hannah Tekel —including for their own eldest son. “As a congregation, we are excited to prepare to celebrate two more bar mitzvas. These occasions are so meaningful to us as they encompass in them all the vision and hope we have in God. They are the legacy of our children expressed in the beautiful harmony of our ancient ancestral Jewish faith linked with the faith in Messiah Yeshua and His New Covenant.” But in other news, their Network Camp for children from at least 6-7 congregations has had to be cancelled because of Covid travel restrictions. “The children are heartbroken, as are we. To miss this amazing experience two summers in a row is a big blow…. We cannot make up for the loss of not having the camp, but we are planning a series of fun days to provide some of the same elements - physical recreation and spiritual inspiration - for our children before the school year begins. We are also in the process of revamping aspects of our weekly children’s ministry to accommodate the changing times and seasons.” Otherwise, they are already looking forward in preparation for the Fall outreaches – back to school (supplies for needy families and immigrants) and the Fall Feasts. “This September we will reach 900 families with a generous bag of holiday foods.”  

In the US we’ve heard barely a peep on the news about the South Africa in Crisis but thanks to Lauren, Haney, and Irene at Revive Israel, here is a background on what is really happening creating the brutal violence and fear. Also from Revive Israel this video teaching with Asher on how Complaints are like spiritual snakes: Don't Complain. The weekly Praise, Prophecy, Prayer, and Preaching from Revive’s team  Global Broadcast fearures a message from Ariel Blumenthal. Finally read about the IAMWITHISRAEL | Revive Israel Discipleship fundraising and Give

Avi and Chaya Mizrach have the Adonai Roi congregation in Tel Aviv and the Dugit Messianic Outreach Center.  They write a sobering thought for many of us, “Israel is a small country by most measurements. But for some, it’s hopelessly large. Every day at our Distribution Center in Tel Aviv we serve many needy families too poverty stricken to afford food and basic household items.  Jerusalem is right in our “backyard”—pending traffic, it is a little over an hour’s drive from us. Despite living in Israel, many of these precious people may never have the financial means to travel to Jerusalem to see and experience the most holy and meaningful city in the world. … for the poorest of the poor in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem might as well be on the other side of the world. This is heartbreaking but is also a beautiful opportunity to share the love of God with them. So, we invite these singles and families to join us on a day trip to Jerusalem. We pick them up in a bus. Their guide is a Jewish believer in Yeshua. They get to see the city and visit the holy sites while hearing the stories of what happened there from both Old and New Testament scriptures. And at the end of the tour we share the gospel with them, and they respond! Then we take them to a nice meal in Jerusalem, and we bring them home.” Do you want to be a part of this beautiful opportunity?    

Leon Mazin and the Return to Zion congregation in Haifa are intensely interested in instilling music in the children of the congregation. You may or may not know that most Jews are quite enthusiastic about classical music. Leon writes “about two students who are learning at our Music and Art School called Keshet Tzlilim – Rainbow of Sounds.” It is a wonderful story of two young Israelis whose grandmother recognized their musical talent and made her business to get them in the congregation’s music program. Leon writes “Such aspiration towards creativity and art at an advanced age is admirable and an example for all kids at our Music and Art School. Since these talented children do not have parents who are taking care of their development and future, let us take on this challenge together! Your prayers and a gift of $150 monthly will enable one child to continue to advance with their talents towards a bright future in Israel.”

Howard Bass in the Negev town of Beer Sheva and Yeshua’s Inheritance congregation writes about the 9th of Av: “For me, and I think for other Messianic believers, it is not a day of mourning for the past temples that God Himself saw to it that they were destroyed because of the sins of His people.  He even asks them in Zechariah if they were actually mourning on His behalf, or simply sorry that their worship center was no more.  The faith of Judaism is that there must be another temple, but there is much disagreement about when, and even exactly where, that should be.  The present State of Israel is the first time that a worship center for sacrifices was not constructed in the history of the people in their own land.  The worship that they will [fairly] soon restore may or may not be in a formal structure, but, whether so or not, it is not for born-again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ/Yeshua the Messiah, to participate in -- unless it is to evangelize the unbelievers there. “  He asks prayer for the salvation of the still partially blinded Jewish people, and for Christians to guard against all deception with respect to our worship of God.”
     In other congregational news he asks prayers for those children taking part in camps and high school graduates preparing for the mandatory IDF service. “Our son, Tal, and his wife, Eden, will be among the instructors at this very important preparation 'boot camp' for these young people.  All of these young persons have grown up in households of faith, and in congregations in Israel.  They are strongly tested during this very stressful period of their life whether they are in the faith, and to make critical decisions that reflect the reality.  Sadly, a significant proportion fall away during these 2-3 years of active military duty.” Pray for this to be the years that falling away proportion will drop to zero, and instead see significant outreach of these young believers among their IDF peers. PLUS another grandchild is on the way, as Rotem is expecting a fifth child before the end of the month. Howard’s closing thought: “God is faithful to His promises regarding Israel, even as many Jews and Christians lose their ways.  He is testing our commitment to Him for His holy name's sake.”

We have great photos and a report from Cody and Liat Archer of Fields of Wheat as their fourth child, Eden was recently dedicated. They also asked prayers for the Katzir Camp writing, “When God began speaking to us about leaving the Jerusalem area and moving to the Golan Heights to serve under Eitan Shishkoff in Fields of Wheat, we sensed that we were to continue investing into the next generation as a primary focus. Over twenty years ago Eitan founded a national youth camp called 'Katzir,' which means harvest. This camp happens three times a year and serves about 90-120 youth from all over Israel.  As a teenager Liat was personally touched by God in one of these camps and we both have served as leaders in a past camp.” They also shared the video of Joel Jelski featured at the beginning of this Arrows issue, writing, “Joel is a beloved teammate we work closely with every week in Fields of Wheat.” The camp starts Friday July 25-29 and they write, “We really could use your prayer support during the camp. Pray that each of these young men and women – the future of Israel – will encounter the Living God in a life-changing way. And for us as we are serving them, that we would be filled with strength, wisdom, grace, over-flowing love, and sensitivity to the Spirit. Big hugs and always appreciating you.” 

From Kehila News Israel enjoy these and other articles and videos:  FIRM: Christians provide shelter to believers in Israel  A bomb shelter is supplied to a messianic school of art on the outskirts of Jerusalem | Howard Bass writes 2 Timothy 2:1-7 – Suffering in this life is normal | And Carolyn Hyde writes about a prophetic dream in which a morgue is right next to the prayer house in Foundational prayer room

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: 

Pray for Hallel Goldman, daughter of Yariv Goldman, Hallel ministers to young people coming out of an Orthodox life. Hallel appears to have some kind of heart infection. Pray for her healing |  Ronit Bender whose heart arrhythmia sent her to ER! She is home now with new meds but still needs our prayers | Pray for Carolyn Hyde whose left hand is so pained she can no longer play guitar and it is also sometimes painful to play piano | the Silvers: David's knees and Josie's back pain | Rachel Netanel  is still recovering from a broken ankle. She asks for healing & for the pain to subside. Her ankles were weak already, so the process is slow and painful| A prayer request for Naomi, for a dear family that is a part of Israel Pochtar's pastoral team, who was diagnosed with colon cancer. "Despite what this battle entails, we are confident in God’s unfailing Word and promises." Read in her own words| Please continue to pray for Jacob Damkani for the LORD's mercies over Jacob and his dear wife, Elisheva | Dov Bikas – I have been very tired these days: probably as a result of a combination of factors: my age, stress of the days of running to the bomb shelter, work load in the ministry, etc. Olga is getting better slowly, but still has a long way before her, so please keep praying.


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