WEEKLY Arrows from Zion 3/29/2017

Priority Prayer Focus Mar 29, 2017

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,
with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Ephesians 6:16

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.

Opening with bad, but expected news that Israel's borders are heating up once again. Katy Smith writes for the Maoz Ministries of Ari & Shira Sorko-Ram that as the Passover holiday is coming that usually terror cells are trying to execute large-scale attacks against Israelis and Judea and Samaria (West Bank) settlers.  There are also reports that the missiles in Gaza have been upgraded, so prayer is urged for God's protection over all Israel.  Katy writes, "I can't possibly stress enough how much we need and value your prayers!"  

Report: Hezbollah Threats Prompt Israel to Add Extra Iron Dome Systems on Warships

Report: Hamas Develops High-Powered Rocket Similar to Hezbollah Missiles

One special request from Maoz is for a recent widow with two children who have received deportation orders after the husband died just 2 weeks ago. Because he was known to be a believer, the Ministry of Interior has mercilessly ordered the widow and her children out of the country. Please pray for this family, and pray also that there would be a shift of power that has the extreme anti-Messianic ultra-Orthodox in charge of citizenship and residency issues.

Inside the subscription only Attached DOCX Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries is also an opportunity offered to take part in the establishing the worship recording studio of the Sorko-Ram's daughter and son-in-law, Kobi and Shani Ferguson, Israel Worship Initiative. (They have raised $40,000 of the $70,000 needed).

Eddie and Jackie Santoro, apostolic elders of the Ahavat Yeshua congregation in Jerusalem, have just returned from their first return visit to the U.S. after two long years as Eddie staved off cancer - truly a miraculous deliverance from a brain tumor and then later an unrelated cancer in this throat. We are waiting results from his latest MRI - so keep praying that God will continue to keep him cancer free and healthy.

The Santoro's write about their "Third Season" group from the congregation which meets regularly along with invited guests. This meeting was held at the unique and historic home of Rachel and Gilad Netanel (see their ministry report in this issue also) for a great time of fellowship, including long conversations with as yet un-saved Israelis. They write, "Please keep praying for these special times of fellowship. They really are becoming an outreach to the unsaved and a bond of love is being established between the participants. It seems to be the perfect format for this age group. We'll be doing it again in another 6 weeks."  They also write about their natural style of evangelism in Israel, which you can read about inside the Weekly Summary attachment   

Israel Pochtar in the Ashdod, Beit Hallel congregation, gives a glowing report of their recent youth conference for teens all across southern Israel, writing, "It was such a powerful time of worship, prayer, fellowship and teachings. We spoke about the importance of drawing closer to God, finding their future in the Lord, entering into their God-given destiny regardless of whether they find their place in ministry or the market place. We gave the tools and showed how they can serve God in many different ways."

Pochtar also gives the follow up report on their Purim Outreach and the Evangelism Outreach tour, which he writes was not only many of the recent immigrants' first tour of Israel, but also first tour with a messianic team that gave them the opportunity to see the country and hear the Gospel Read about it inside the Weekly Summary attachment        

The elders of the Hasdey Yeshua (Mercy of Yeshua) congregation in Arad report a breakthrough and a potential breakthrough on two of the top prayer needs we have been praying with them about over a long time. The first on the warehouse where they will share with another ministry for a food distribution center, and also for housing their children's ministry activities.  The potential breakthrough comes in the arena of a facility for their congregation.  You may remember that it is been difficult for them to meet in Arad due to great religious opposition applied to landlords.  For a very long time they have been meeting in the outdoors outside of the city, but as you can imagine those are not ideal circumstances. Please read this ministry letter inside the Weekly Summary attachment where they share details and also update us on the Bedouin believer, Hussain, who had to flee Arad last month because of death threats from his older brother over his faith in Yeshua.  See the prayer requests attached to all these things.

Rachel and Gilad Netanel, as Eddie Santoro wrote in his ministry letter this week, live in a "very unique house which is located in the historic Ein Kerem section of Jerusalem. According to Rachel, the house is at least 800 years old!" Rachel explains in her ministry letter that Ein Karem "is thought to be the village of John the Baptist." She recently told a group of touring Jews, "about the vision I had to build this house in a style that would be similar to the times of Yeshua and about how I share the Word of God here in the meeting room of the cave."  They stayed and listened more, maybe because she had already told them " them that I come from the family of Rabbi Kabbetz (He is a famous rabbi who wrote the Jewish sedur—prayer book). Their eyes opened wide at this and said what a privilege it is to meet me. This is such an honor to meet a close descendant of this great rabbi."  She told them the real honor was having received revelation that Yeshua is the Messiah."  

Do the testimonies this week of how the believers in Israel are reaching out to their countrymen strike you the way they strike me? It is like reading from the pages of the Acts of Apostles - evangelism that so natural and organic. This is why many people can go to Israel "to witness to Jews" but they return disappointed. Because there is (as a general rule) an anointing to reach the Jewish people that rests on the Jewish believers in Yeshua.  Paul understood it, as he wrote to the Galatians (2:8) For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles. This is yet another reason why we pray for and support Israeli ministries.

Rachel also shares a prayer request for a family member which I will not share in this gleaning which is published online at Arrows from Zion, but you can read it inside the Weekly Summary attachment  

From Revive Israel, an ARTICLE Three Priesthoods by Asher Intrater and he also teaches in this VIDEO Praying for the Jewish people | Asher shares on the importance and the result of when we pray for the salvation of the Jewish people.  Moti Cohen who pastors the Tiferet Yeshua congregation in Tel Aviv writes a short report on what is happening there, and Cody and Andrew have a report via VIDEO Revive Israel Japan Tour 2017

From the Beer Sheva Yeshua's Inheritance congregation, Howard Bass starts out speaking about Bible study he is currently attending on the end-times and what are the signs. He writes of the study, "It is very illuminating, especially as the Body of Messiah is awaking to the times in which we live, and as the Holy Spirit continues to lead us into all the truth as we need it." In his congregation he is teaching on Isaiah, which also has the prophet looking into the end times, "... the conditions and circumstances in Isaiah's time are similar to what we have today; and God's thoughts and ways concerning these things as it relates to His people and His covenantal purposes have not changed."
 

Howard also shares about a ministry in Jericho they visited recently which is operated by a former Muslim who was active in the PLO. Now he is a planter of Seeds of Hope for Yeshua and Bass encourages us to look them up on the web. A Jerusalem Post article about them is here, From Enemy to Peace Maker.

Howard also seeds news of Cyprien, the Rwandan refugee he has written about in the past; the congregational plans for Passover which they will also to a special event with the Russian-speaking congregation led by Dov Bikas on Sunday April 15. And he freely offers the Passover Haggadah ("telling"), and it is available in four languages -- English, Hebrew, Russian, Spanish.  that he wrote.

Orna Grinman, whose ministry to orphans, widows and single parents in the body of Messiah in Israel, and touches deeply those who are hurting, is on the road. Here blog post shares about her Travelling and teaching

Evan Levine of the HaTikva Project is helping the poor which advancing the kingdom. Isn't that what Yeshua called us all to?  Inside the Weekly Summary attachment               , Evan relates the situation of a young man they recently helped named Mati.  It is an uplifting testimony of how God is using this ministry.

Martin Sarvis writes that a Call is going out throughout the world for Israel to Know, Recognize & Love her Redeemer. Focusing on the Haftarah of this week, Isaiah 43:21—44:23, Martin walks us through it - "To focus for our prayers for Israel on this particular passage of Scripture—and on the 'soil' into which the seeds of this Scripture will be scattered!" Read the teaching in full inside the Weekly Summary attachment

Just a few of the available articles we found interesting from KehilaNews.com [Kehila (K’hee-lah) is a Hebrew word that means community or congregation.Kehila News is an online community news and information portal by the community (kehila) in Israel, about the community (kehila) in Israel, and for the community (kehila), both in Israel and around the world.]

The still before the Hamas storm? | Joni Koski | In the entire year of 2016, not one Israeli was killed in a terror attack emanating from the Gaza Strip, the head of the Internal Security Service noted on Monday, warning that this was not due to peace prospects.

Pray for London and learn how to overcome ISIS | One For Israel Staff | "As we follow Yeshua, are we willing to follow in his footsteps of self-sacrificial love? Martyrs for Yeshua don’t kill, but offer life, even to their murderers."

How the modern Messianic Jewish Movement was launched | Daniel Juster | Daniel writes, "The origins of a successful movement often tell us about the founding principles that must be recovered to see this success continue into the future in new generations. The Messianic Jewish Movement began as a mighty move of the Spirit..."

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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: 

Patti Juster, Daniel Juster's wife, had heart valve replacement today (monday 3/27). Dr. Dan reports that Patti is doing as well as can be expected after such a surgery but is very tired. Please pray for her as she recovers. | David B. from Howard Bass' congregation was wounded by a pipe bomb during his military duty is recovering at home but still waiting on an eventual procedure to restore his finger and hand. Please pray for his full restoration. Also updates in Howard's prayer letter on the other serious health needs in the Beer Sheva congregation, please read in Bass' enclosed prayer letter | Olga & Dov Bikas have been suffering from severe backaches. Please pray for their healing | David Davis continues to suffer weakness and a new small growth in the area of the previous cancerous tumor. Please continue to pray for David to be fully healed. | Gila, the first graduate from the Ark of the Negev’s discipleship training, after many delays finally had a successful surgery. She's been living in extreme pain for years.  Please pray for complete healing, restored mobility, and freedom from pain.| Hand operations on both Cookie and also Howard Bass' went well. Please pray for swift recovery.| Continued prayers for  Rick Ridings' daughter Esther Moore victory over cancer |   Eddie Santoro Pray continued good reports on follow up cancer screenings | Ruth Nessim  According to the blood tests, all is well with the cancer of the lymphatic system,  "But I am blind in one eye, with much reduced sight in the other. I would value prayer." | Eddie Beckford has a toxic level of aluminum in his body and it has affected his health.  This is very likely the underlying cause of his thyroid & diabetes problems.  He is undergoing a protocol to remove the aluminum and he has not been well for some time.  |  David Stern Please continue pray for David's health and also for Martha, as his caretaker |  David O., Ami (unhealed wounds);  Long term disease battles:  Leah; an unnamed forefather of Messianic Judaism; Moshe M.;  the son of an Arab pastor, Ghazi, who is suffering from Leukemia. Judy, wife of pastor Yaakov K; Carolyn Hyde, Claude Ezagouri; Baruch and Karen Maayan; Michael E and unnamed Israel-related ministers.  Ronen a congregant & faithful volunteer in the Tiferet Yeshua Tel Aviv congregation.  PLEASE PRAY ALSO for all the caretakers. If you have ever been one, you know that it stretches us to our limits in an very emotional time. Pray for God to strengthen and uphold them all.

Praying the Headlines

DDIORIO: Over several months recently, the U.S. Jewish community was being terrorized by bomb threat calls across the country to Jewish Community Centers and other places where Jews frequent. Many Liberal Jews, including in the media, pointed a finger of blame at President Trump stirring up white racist anti-Semites. Then last week came the surprise announcement that a 19-year old in Ashkelon, Israel with dual US-Israeli citizenship had been arrested for threats in the mostly the US, but also in  Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The complex, technologically advanced methods he used over six months shielded him from being identified and caught, until he made one mistake that led to his unveiling.

We may not be able to fathom what would motivate an young Jewish man in Israel to do such a thing, but unfortunately there are many of these individuals in the world today with the expertise to torment people far away from the safety of their own homes. With the announcement of his arrest by Israel, immediately came the claims by his lawyer that he has a nonmalignant brain tumor. That cannot explain away the evil genius behind this young man's terrorizing Jews in the US and contributing to false accusations against the followers of the US President.  I am not surprised that all those who were raising Cain about the "anti-Semitic" bomb threats have fallen completely silent over the development that an Israeli-American Jew was arrested for the cybercrime, but I want to know why this man did such a thing. I doubt it will be a major story but it is one worth keeping on top of.

Teaching Articles

3/24/17 Guy Cohen  in Akko
Katzir Asher, The Harvest of Asher Congregation

A Word to the Prophet | Guy Cohen, Harvest of Asher in Acco | During the time that the Kingdom of Israel was split into two houses, the house of Jeroboam and the house of Rehoboam; King Jeroboam was offering sacrifices and burning incense to idols on the altar in the city of Bethel.  

In 1 Kings 13 we read that a man of God was sent from Judah to Bethel by God to prophesy against the altar and to give the sign which the Lord had spoken. When Jeroboam stretched out his hand to have the man of God arrested, his hand withered and all that had been spoken against the altar took place. The King then asked the man of God to pray for him and ask for God's favor to restore his hand. And so it was restored and the King then invited the man of God to come to his home.

However, the man of God told the king that he was commanded by the word of the Lord not to eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way which he had come. How is it possible that at the end of the chapter this same man of God was killed by a lion and his body thrown on the side of the road? How could it be on the one hand that God worked such a mighty victory through him and on the other hand his life would end this way?

The reason is that the man of God didn't follow God's command till the end. A prophet who heard how God had worked through this man of God in Bethel, went out to find him. The prophet found him under an oak tree and also invited him to come and eat. Even though only a short time before the man of God's response to the King was no, he agreed.

I believe I Kings 13:18 is the key, I too am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD, saying, 'Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.'

The man of God received what the prophet told him even though it was contrary to what God had ordered him and which up until then he had obeyed. What made the man of God think that it was okay now? I believe it was due to the respect he had for this prophet. Possibly this prophet was well known during that time in the area. Obeying what the prophet told him, led to the man of God's death.

When the prophet learned of the man of God's death he went out, brought back his body, buried him and mourned. He then told his sons, "When I am dead bury me in the tomb where the man of God is buried.... Why would he behave this way? Did he feel guilty or could it be that he was covering his tracks?

In the body of Messiah, thanks to the Holy Spirit, we experience and operate in many gifts. Are these gifts being used for building each other up or are we killing each other with them because either way we continue to carry the gifts with us. Just as a father in the natural doesn't take back a gift he's given to his child, neither does our Father in heaven.

The issue is how are we using these gifts. If we are using them out of bitterness, jealousy, lying, building ourselves up or making a name for ourselves, they can bring death to our families, neighbors or anyone near us putting a guilt so heavy on us to even bring us to the point of death.

We must continually sanctify the gifts to the Father, looking to Yeshua and being guided by the Holy Spirit, so that they may be used to bring life and not death.

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

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