WEEKLY Arrows from Zion 4/19/2017

Priority Prayer Focus Apr 19, 2017

We want each of you to show the same diligence to the very end, so that your hope may be fully assured. Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Hebrews 6:11-12

What a powerful example of this scripture in the last Israeli ministry letter we received before wrapping up this week's edition of the Weekly Summary. Imagine the faith and patience of the Morning Star Fellowship who bought a building in downtown Tiberias nine years ago and have finally been able to move into their congregation. Nine long years of bureaucratic opposition standing between the building they purchased and occupying it legally.  Please pray for this Galilee congregation to receive from the Lord's hand all the promises of their inheritance, and be encouraged in those promises you have also stood for a long time with faith and patience.

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.

Now that Passover has ended, we are urged to continue to pray for all the spiritual seeds that were planted among family, friends and neighbors to spring up among all of the Jews in the nations, and be believe strategic prophetically, within the land of Israel. This is the season of the salvation of Israel, and in fact, in 50 days from today, it will be the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem, the City of the Great King, to the nation of Israel. For those who are interested in watching prophetic signs, there may be few greater than the sign of the hour we are in.

Still there are many things that must unfold before we see Yeshua coming in the clouds. To learn about some of those things, including the intensification of anti-semitism to the fever pitch that will bring the Lion of the Tribe of Judah back to Jerusalem, I want to suggest this interview that Asher Intrater did with Korean filmmaker, Brad Kim of BradTV.  KehilaNews.com has also linked to articles on the same subject Asher discusees concerning the Ruth & Esther mantles in these things: Ruth ecclesiology and Esther eschatology (Part 1) and Ruth ecclesiology and Esther eschatology (Part 2)

Brad Kim (Kim Jong-cheol) is a wonderful Korean friend to the Israeli Messianic Jews and has done many, many interviews with the ministries in Israel. His is well known for his award winning documentary on Israeli believers called Restoration, and his broadcasts over Brad-TV (bradtv.co.kr) have been seen by people in 177 countries.  A couple of years ago I was also delighted to be interviewed by Brad Kim about the Weekly Summary of  Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries.  

Now, from Revive Israel an article, Jewish Roots Part III on Romans 11:11-15 makes it clear that our restoration to the olive tree, likened to a resurrection from the dead, is to be a great blessing of Gospel riches and reconciliation for all the nations. Also a video Who is Israel? | Ariel answers the question that's been discussed since the time of the first believers - "Who is Israel?". Finally, inside the Weekly Summary attachment is a call for transcribers of Revive teachings into English.

Messiah's Mandate is Ron Cantor's ministry (in addition to his Out of Zion programs on GOD TV). This week he has two teachings on Revival, Giving and the Tabernacle: In Part 1, we examine three reasons why people give as well as, why believers are hesitant to give to superficial causes. In the story of the Tabernacle, we see a supernatural grace to give.  In Part 2, Moses commands the people to stop giving. This spirit of generosity led to God's glory filling the tabernacle. Wherever we find supernatural giving, we'll find the blessing of God.                      

Maoz ministries continues its preparations for an evening to honor Dr. David H. Stern as they also celebrate the completion of publication his Jewish New Testament Commentary in Hebrew.  These books will be a great blessing to believers and to reach non-believing Israelis.  Please pray for the Maoz Hebrew books department, as well as all their media outreach departments to bless multiplied thousands in Israel.

Read about how a dream of Ari and Shira Sorko-Ram's came true recently as an Israeli-born believer is now leading the congregation Tiferet Yeshua in Tel Aviv, with a team of elders including Asher Intrater, Ron Cantor and Moti Cohen.  Among the news for the congregation is a renovation that will double the capacity of the main meeting hall.  Read all the news from Maoz inside the Weekly Summary attachment       

Orna Grinman of A Sign & An Example ministry has this new blog post this week: Sleeping Awake | Many traditions developed around Passover. One of them is the reading of Song of Songs throughout the week of the Feast. One can read this short book in many ways: as a love letter that God sent you personally, or His bride, or the nation of Israel.

Howard Bass writes about the Yeshua's Inheritance congregation in Beer Sheva joint Passover -Resurrection service with the Flowers of the Negev Congregation, pastored by Dov Bikas and Rudy Kroeker.  (You might recall that Bikas also runs a ministry to addicts called the Aviv Ministry). Read more inside the subscription only Attached DOCX Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries

Howard also writes about the soon coming Holocaust Remembrance Day, explaining the "word 'holocaust' comes from a Greek word meaning 'a whole burnt offering'. In Hebrew this word is 'olah', and is the name of one of the offerings written about by Moses, even from the time before the Law was given.  The whole animal was consumed on the altar in sacrifice by the offerer unto God. Countless animals were thus sacrificed as a general offering to acknowledge that our life is entirely accountable to Him.  Jesus offered Himself as a whole burnt offering -- in His life and in His death -- to God His Father, so that He might be our Redeemer and Savior. He suffered a "holocaust"....read more inside the Weekly Summary attachment

In other news, Howard and Randi celebrated their 37th anniversary; there is news of their family; and an invitation to give a special offering for their upgrade of a room purposed for the use of their teens.

Rachel and Gilad Netanel, whose Ein Kerem home is a 'tourist attraction" - only the sightseers are fellow Israelis drawn to the home that is built in a style that would be similar to the times of Yeshua in a cave.  Ein Kerem is also thought to be the village of John the Baptist.  Rachel is from the family of Rabbi Kabbetz (He is a famous rabbi who wrote the Jewish sedur—prayer book). So there is a little something to appeal to many Israelis - seculars, religious and those interested is this couple who are generously gifted with hospitality feeding visitors both delicious meals and spiritual food as they share their faith with all who come. Please read more inside the Weekly Summary attachment   

From Avner and Rachel Bosky's David's Tent ministry in Beer Sheva, one new prophetic article One day, one battle, one Lord, one name and one brand new book Jews, Arabs and the Middle East - A Messianic Perspective - both written by Avner Boskey. It is a book which brings biblical clarity, historical sanity and spiritual balance to Middle East events. The author is a Messianic Jew who has lived in Israel over the past forty years. He embraces God’s priority call on the Jewish people. As well, he cherishes the heart of the ‘God who hears’ for Arabs and the Arabic speaking world.

This is the ministry referred to in the Priority Prayer Focus this week, Claude and Michelle Ezagouri, whose Morning Star Fellowship has stood faithfully while trying to get the renovations and meeting all the requirements for the final certifications they needed on a building they bought 9 years ago to house the congregation. We have reported on all the challenges over the past 9 years here in Israelprayer, but honestly it did not sink in HOW LONG this has been going on! We rejoice with our brothers and sisters in the Morning Star Fellowship in downtown Tiberias, and for the fulfillment of the vision of promise this facility holds for their ministry in a deeply religious area of northern Israel. Where there has been great opposition, we expect God will reward their faithful tenacity in a great spiritual release among them. Read more inside the Weekly Summary attachment              

Finally, here are several items that caught our eye in many issues of KehilaNews.com this month so far. Their vision is to connect the millions of Christians around the world who love Israel with the Messianic community in Israel.

Russian video news agency publishes fake news piece claiming “hundreds of Jews occupy Al-Aqsa” | Amir Tsarfati | The Russian video news agency “Ruptly” published a fake news piece claiming that that hundreds of Israeli Jews occupied the Temple Mount by force, publishing video of hundreds of Jews praying at the Western Wall.

In curious move, Russia recognizes West Jerusalem as Israel's capital | Kehila News Israel Staff | In a surprise move that left many people questioning its motives and the timing of the statement, the Kremlin announced last week that it recognizes West Jewish as Israel’s capital.

New life in Nazareth | by Eitan Shishkoff | Eitan writes, "On a vibrantly beautiful Shabbat spring morning I am greeted at Netzer HaGalil Congregation with warm smiles and loving hugs. This fellowship was planted in Nazareth in 2004 by our own daughter congregation in Haifa, Shavei Tzion (Return to Zion)."

VIDEO: The Germans that help Jews make aliyah | by Hananya Naftali | This is a very special story of Germans that are helping Jews come back to their ancestral land - to Israel.

Possible Israeli-Palestinian peace summit in DC this summer | Kehila News Israel Staff | During their first official meeting at the White House on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi discussed a possible Israeli-Palestinian peace summit to be held in Washington in a few months.

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

Please keep in prayer the Israeli ministry leaders and believers with urgent health needs including the fight for their very lives:  There are no changes in the health prayer requests made this week. See detailed list inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary

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Praying the Headlines:
The Inside Story of Pastor Brunson Imprisoned in Turkey

By Martin Sarvis in Jerusalem

Andrew Brunson is an American minister who has worked for 23 years as a missionary in Turkey, where he is current pastor of a congregation in Izmir (ancient Smyrna). For some time Succat Hallel (a 24/7 prayer and intercession ministry in Jerusalem of which the writers are a part) has been in association with a house of prayer in that city which is sponsored by Pastor Brunson’s church. Teams from Jerusalem, including leaders and musicians have visited this house of prayer, networking with the brothers and sisters there, teaching, taking part in seminars on the setting up of houses of prayer in the region. At one point the Jerusalem leaders sensed the Lord leading them to transfer the menorah from the House of Prayer at Succat Hallel to the House in Izmir (There have been a number of separate prophetic words to the effect that the Lord was restoring a Lampstand in Izmir (Smyrna) which will shine into that part of Turkey and throughout the Middle East region). Several of the leaders from Succat Hallel have become warmly acquainted with Pastor Andrew and his wife Norine.

Last October 7th Pastor Andrew was summoned to the police station in Izmir. He went, anticipating that he might finally be receiving a long-awaited “permanent residence” status in the land. Instead, he was told that he was being deported because of being a “threat to national security.” Yet instead of deportation, he was held in detention for 63 days (part of the time in solitary confinement), his cell phone, glasses, Bible and watch were confiscated, and he was granted no access to his Turkish attorney. On December 8th in the middle of the night he was taken to a counter terrorism center, and from there on to a court where he was charged with “membership in a terrorist organization.” It seems significant that the very charging documents themselves state that no evidence has been gathered against him. Pastor Andrew has remained incarcerated ever since.

Almost immediately, voices began being raised on his behalf. In late December, Oklahoma Senator James Lankford traveled to Ankara to inquire into the situation, where, as reported to Fox News, he was met by Turkish authorities who claimed Brunson assisted Kurdish refugees and falsely claimed he had attended a conference in America by Islamic leader Fethullah Gulen. The Turkish government accuses  Gulen of having been behind last year’s coup attempt. Some have speculated whether Turkey may be holding the pastor for use as a bargaining chip to try and coerce the United States into deporting Gulen.

There have been other attempts to bring Bruson’s plight before the public. The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) launched a “Free Pastor Andrew” petition on their website, which as of this writing has reached 262,254 signatures. It concludes,  "Turkey—our NATO ally, has begun increased crackdowns on Christians. If convicted, Pastor Andrew could face years in prison based on extremely serious—and false—charges.  At the ACLJ, we’re representing the family, mobilizing our international resources—including our offices in the region—demanding Pastor Andrew’s freedom. Take action with us before it’s too late." If you would like to add your name to the petition, you may do so at the site: https://aclj.org/

Three weeks ago (March 28th), Pastor Andrew submitted an appeal through the U.S. Embassy in Turkey to President Trump:

Will the Turkish government face no consequence for stubbornly continuing to hold an American citizen as a political prisoner? Even though I have a long public track record as a church pastor, they falsely accuse me of being a member of an Islamist terrorist group. I have been imprisoned since October 7, 2016.  During this time the Turkish government has produced no proof and has rebuffed numerous attempts by the American government to secure my return to the United States. In fact, they are treating the U.S. government with contempt and paying no price for it.

I plead with my government—with the Trump Administration—to fight for me. I ask the State Department to impose sanctions. I appeal to President Trump: please help me. Let the Turkish government know that you will not cooperate with them in any way until they release me. Please do not leave me here in prison.

Yesterday, in a highly-contested referendum, Turkey passed legislation by all appearances designed to grant unprecedented powers to its President Recep Erdogan. This morning President Trump called Erdogan, considered a US ally, who strongly supported the President’s recent strike on a Syrian airfield from which poison gas attacks had been launched, congratulating him on his victory. Let us hope and pray that this “friendly” position between the two leaders will allow an appeal on behalf of the innocent American citizen the Islamist regime currently holds captive

Meanwhile, Pastor Andrew remains in jail. We have received word that at times his cell is occupied by 15 other inmates in a space meant to accommodate four.  His cellmates are Muslim who are constantly attempting to convert him to their faith.   He is being prayed for by many around the world—in our own Prayer Room in Jerusalem we have seen times of corporate intercession intensify during the past week.
                See Martin's prayer points inside the Weekly Summary attachment              

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Israeli Ministries on Tours  |  BOOKING meetings now (See open dates)  Inside the attached Weekly Summary are itineraries and open dates for

Avi & Chaya Mizrachi of the Tel Aviv Dugit Coffeehouse and Kehilat Adonai Roi invite you to be their guest and Experience Life in Israel | Dugit started the Living Stones Tour out of a desire that Chaya and I had to spend quality time in Israel with friends and supporters from around the world.  Every year, many Christians from many different countries come to visit Israel to see the historical sites but few actually connect with the community of local believers in the land.  The goal of this tour is to provide an opportunity for visitors to not only experience the dead stones, but the living stones as well!

Did you know that the believing community in Israel makes up less than 1% of the total population of Israel?  It is our goal to immerse each traveler in the reality of living as a believer in the land of Israel. 

    Ten days on the ground in Israel with breakfast and dinner included

    Fellowship, worship, and pray with the Mizrachi family, the Dugit team, and other local believers.

    Guided tour through inspiring historical destinations from a local believers perspective.

For more information see inside the subscription only Attached DOCX Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries

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The Israeli Messianic Marketplace  Feature of the Week:

Galilee Getaway | Come and take in the Shalom of the Galilee region!  The latest trend in international travel is not to limit yourself to a tourist's eye view, but to experience your foreign destination with a native's eye view. That can work for you in Israel too as you choose our beautiful vacation apartments, owned and operated by Messianic believers.

If you are exploring Israel for biblical sites, our location gives you a super hub to base out of for your days in northern Israel. Within a half an hour drive one can visit many different historical sites where Yeshua ministered: Capernaum, Mt Beatitude, Beit Saida, Magdala, Jordan River, fish and loaves- and Legions traditional site.   There are also various beautiful hikes in our neighborhood as well as the Hamat Gader- and the Tiberias hot springs.

Our apartments are located in a serene Galilean village with a breathtaking view to the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan Valley, the Golan Heights and the Gilead mountains. Both apartments do have complete privacy with a separate entrance!   More details inside the subscription only Attached DOCX Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries

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