WEEKLY Arrows from Zion 3/21/2018

Priority Prayer Focus Mar 21, 2018

Begging your pardon for speaking my mind in controversial matters but there is no "God of the Old Testament" who has changed for the 'better' into "the God of the New Testament." That is just a failure of the human heart to grasp the truth of God's Word.  Honestly, it is really an arrogant way of thinking. The whole of God's Word is a revelation of who He is and what His ways are. Any attempt to divide and put aside the Hebrew scriptures as less relevant to us as the New Covenant Scriptures is damaging to our faith. The same is true of the reverse attempts to set aside the New covenant scriptures as less significant to us than the Hebrew scriptures.  Why? Because the Torah begins to lay out the ways of God, but Yeshua was the Word made flesh so we could observe what the perfect modeling of the ways of God actually looked like in a human being.

That is why I begin this week with an article sent out by the Messianic Jewish Bible Institute that was written by Asher Intrater of Revive Israel. The article, Passover and Baptism, relates the parallel between the Passover exodus out of Egypt and the New Covenant baptism symbolizing Yeshua's death, burial and resurrection.

Pray during this "moed" or appointed season of Passover that many eyes will open in the Jewish world to the parallel that points to their salvation in Yeshua's death and resurrection. Pray also that in the Christian world many eyes would open to the prophetic pictures that God has set before the Jewish people to observe without fail annually because of His full intentions to bring the Jews into the salvation of the risen Messiah.

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.

Asher Intrater, of Revive Israel's important insights into the parallels of Passover and Baptism. Read inside the Weekly Summary attachment or click linked title to read online

Dov Bikas heads a ministry among drug addicts and victims of sexual abuse in south Tel Aviv and also pastors a Russian-speaking messianic congregation in Beer Sheva. (See the update for his wife Olga in Urgent Healing Needs below).  Inside the Weekly Summary attachment Dov gives us an update on the Tel Aviv Outreach center that is operated by more than 50 volunteers from different Messianic congregations and rehabs across Israel. There are several testimonies included, also a report on their Beersheva rehab and prayer requests for the ministry. Working with this segment of society is a tough row to hoe - it takes really special people to labor spiritually among those that everyone else has given up on. Please pray for the Bikas ministry and all who labor in this harvest field in Israel.

Israel Pochtar is also a minister to the great many Russian immigrants who have settled in the southern-ish regions of Israel. The Beit Hallel congregation is located in Ashdod, but Pochtar has also helped to establish other congregations in their Voice of Judah Israel ministry. One of the big projects recently is the "Next Level" Youth conference they put on to teach and show their young people how many areas of life they can serve and minister in - not just in a congregational setting. Read more about how they exposed the young people to believers in business and the arts who are ministering in their own professions.  It's inside the Weekly Summary attachment

Also, Pochtar shares about a Youth theater production they put on over Purim that was so popular they had to stage it twice. Over 500 non-believers came to see it and over a 1000 viewed in on a live Facebook broadcast.  Now they are getting set for their Passover outreach - more about that next week.

The intercessors for Israel (IFI) in Jerusalem cover a range of current event topics in Israel with prayer points for each one, including the 'Days of Rage' declared for Palestinians; Russia taking a more dominant role in the region; how Iran and Turkey are exerting dangerous influence in the region; the need for more rain; Passover; and some of the needs of the leaders of the IFI - including a prayer request for one of their men who is recovering from a recent heart attack. Read more inside the Weekly Summary attachment

The latest newsletter of the Dugit Messianic Outreach and congregation Adonai Roi is out with Avi Mirachi sharing some of the encouraging and challenging things they have gone through over the last year.  There were many breakthroughs, Avi writes, and they are looking forward to even more as 2018 has begun to unfold.  You can read his greeting inside the Weekly Summary attachment where you can also find links to several of the highlights featured this month: The Brewing of a Miracle, Dugit Distribution Update, Intercessors of Tel Aviv Arise!, Welcoming the King of Glory and A Trip to Nazareth - A Testimony of Simple Love

From Revive Israel and excellent, must read article by Cody Archer 6 Things to Do When Under Spiritual Attack. Ron Cantor talks with Pastor John Koe in a Revive Live VIDEO. and in a VIDEO with Cody Archer: He's sitting next to you now! Cody encourages you about God's love.  Also this invitation for the USA event June 1-3, you can celebrate at the Tikkun Family Conference! You don't want to miss this exciting conference! Asher Intrater, Daniel Juster, Dr Mike Brown & many more

Ronit Bender's latest prayer letter really caught our eye with the subject line, "I invited a witch to my congregation"! One thing I have noticed about Ronit, she will reach out to anyone she meets to share the love of Yeshua with them whether a sad and tormented looking witch, an addict or prostitute or a sweet little old lady in the nursing home near her. Young, old, station in life - Ronit does not hold back what she has to share with unbelievers.  Read more about those she has shared with in recent weeks inside the Weekly Summary attachment and see her open dates for the USA in October 2018 in Tours.

The news from Howard Bass in Beersheva begins with a focus on Passover - all eyes in Israel are turning to the Passover because there is much preparation going on for all the events. Bass says their congregation is being encouraged to conduct their own seders on Friday 3/30, while the Shabbat service on 3/31 will be" Passover-Resurrection focused, with the Lord's Supper and a picnic, but not a congregational seder this year.  And, praise God, we will also have a baptism/immersion!" Howard has written an article Israel’s New Year and Examining Yeshua as Passover Lamb   streamsinthenegev.com/messianic-judaism/israels-new-year-and-examining-yeshua-as-passover-lamb/

Also, Howard includes some requests for prayers for IDF soldiers from their congregation including two new soldiers and also their son, Tal's requests which you can read inside the Weekly Summary attachment along with other requests from the Yeshua's Inheritance congregation.

Mazel Tov to Stefan & Keren Silver of the Kerem-El congregation on their new baby, Selah Hodaya Silver, see also inside a prayer request for the baby as doctors suspected a need for antibiotics after her first blood test.

The Carmel congregation is also looking to the Passover events and there is a short teaching by Vladimir Tsapar of the congregation inside the Weekly Summary attachment.  Prayer for the outreaches they will be doing - especially the seder for Russian-speakers - and the various groups who minister are also listed.  The congregation is mourning the sudden death of "Valentin Roginsky, a gifted pianist and worship leader who served faithfully for many years in our Russian-speaking outreaches, as well as home groups. Please pray that the Lord would comfort those who are mourning and turn this loss for His glory."

One Carmel prayer request is for "our youth group which is composed of Hebrew-, Russian-, English-, and Arabic-speaking teens -- that the Lord would breakthrough with His Holy Spirit and release faith, hope and love into each of these young people. Some will be attending the national Katzir Youth conference during Passover. Please pray the fire of God will begin to burn passionately in them. Please pray for fresh anointing upon our youth leader and our youth worship leader."

Just a few of the items on KehilaNews.com this week:

A year of praise, progress for Israeli Messianic soldier injured in grenade attack | by Dee Catz | Just over a year ago a young soldier’s dreams and aspirations literally exploded out of view obscuring his dreams and his future.

KNI Israel Prayer Corner :: Mar 20, 2018 | Kehila News Israel Staff |  We encourage prayer for Israel since, even though God is sovereign, He still is moved by the prayers of His children. This is why we ask for prayer for our soldiers, including many believers serving valiantly in the IDF. Messianic soldiers are not exempt from the battles against the enemies of Israel. In 2014, a young First Sergeant and a Messianic believer, who wrote praise songs and played guitar in his youth group, died in combat during the Gaza War.  Read more online by clicking the linked title.

Terror attacks rise, 'rage' days ahead as Israel prepares for 70th anniversary | by Tzippe Barrow | With less than two months until Israelis celebrate the nation's 70th anniversary and the US moves its embassy to Jerusalem, terror attacks are on the rise.

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: 

Please continue to pray for Mississippi Israel Prayer warrior Debra Koen Abernethy who underwent a double lung transplant on March 7 and is continuing to battle through recovery. She was just returned to ICU 3/19 with severe pain, pneumonia, re-intubation and complete exhaustion from her battle to recover. She NEEDS PRAYERS the prayers of the saints to fulfill her purpose in the LORD | Steve Lightle of Intercessors for Israel (IFI) recently suffered a heart attack & is now recovering in Seattle. Pray for a full, quick recovery | The Kfar Saba Wellspring (Hamaayan) Congregation is asking prayer for their members suffering from cancers | Rick Ridings daughter, Esther Moore continues to need prayer in her ongoing battle with cancer. Now part of the Succat Hallel staff, there are encouraging signs in her healing. | Eduardo, an elder in the Beer Sheva Yeshua's Inheritance congregation, has been bed-ridden with a newly discovered  congenital spinal defect which has him in severe back pain. He has already outlived the typical 25-yr life statistic and also has been able to father three children. Please pray for this serious condition: a healing miracle from God |  Olga Bikas continues to suffer from chronic, acute back pain. She is getting medication and physiotherapeutic treatments but without any substantial improvement Please pray for Olga | Lebanese Christian Pastor Najeeb Attieh had two surgeries on his thighs & a hip replacement Pray for full recovery| Rick Ridings daughter, Esther Moore, miracle needed for cancer battle |  PLEASE CONTINUE PRAYER FOR for HaMaayan congregant Danny Meyuseff suffering poor health on several fronts,  David Ortiz, Ami Ortiz, Ruth Nessim| LONG TERM BATTLES |  David Stern,  David, Leah and Ami,  Moshe M.;  Michael E, Claude Ezagouri; Baruch & Karen Maayan, Judy, wife of pastor Yaakov K.

Update on Olga Bikas: Please keep praying for Olga. She has been suffering from severe back aches for a year and 4 months already. She goes through checkups and various kinds of treatment, but without substantial changes for the better. She is still home bound (we can already go for short walks near our home, but for no longer than 15-20 minutes) and needs constant assistance, so I keep performing all domestic and ministry tasks and can leave home only for short periods of time. (Thankfully it has got no negative influence on the ministry and it keeps growing.) On the other hand, praise God, emotionally and spiritually Olga is doing really well and says she feels closer to God than ever before!

Praying the Headlines

Why left-wing anti-Semitism matters | by Jonathan S Tobin, JNS Jewish News Syndicate | The anti-Trump resistance is in bed with Jew-haters and anti-Zionists. Why liberals need to draw a line in the sand. Is there a difference between left-wing anti-Semites and right-wing Jew-haters? In theory, the answer is no. Hate is hate, no matter what it’s source.

A deceptively skewed vision of hate | by Jonathan S Tobin, JNS Jewish News Syndicate | An article in the Sunday “New York Times” stokes fears of anti-Semitism from the right, yet ignores the more dangerous variety that emanates from the left. Tobin writes that "what’s extraordinary about this piece is that it was published during a month in which the Jewish world was very much focused on anti-Semitism, though not the kind that interests Weisman. In recent weeks, the revelation that leaders of the Women’s March movement—the primary organizer of street protests for the anti-Trump “resistance”—are supporters of Louis Farrakhan caused great consternation and embarrassment on the left. But the actions of the March’s Tamika Mallory and Linda Sarsour don’t get a mention in Weisman’s harangue about Jew-hatred. Neither does Farrakhan."

Testimony 

The Amazing Story of Yonatan Perry | By Yonatan Perry as told to Gil Afriat | As featured in the March Maoz Israel Report | First time I heard from Yonatan was through an email that arrived in our congregation's Inbox. It read something like this:

"Hi, my name is Yonatan. I am new. Don't know yet where to go from here. I will probably not ever be able to tell my family that I believe in Yeshua. How do I continue from here? I will be happy to get a phone call from you."

The following day I called Yonatan and he told me his amazing story.  — Pastor Gil Afriat:

PERRY:  I was raised in an Orthodox Jewish family in the south of Israel, and was thoroughly versed in Orthodoxy from my education in a yeshiva (institution for the study of the Talmud and Torah). I had just finished army service when my father passed away due to medical malpractice. A local rabbi came to the funeral, and I expected he would talk about my father—a good and kind man—and comfort us with anecdotes about his life. But he didn't.

I had been very close to my father, and therefore was stunned when, instead of comforting us, the rabbi coldly began to sell all kinds of Jewish trinkets and spoke of other commercial deals he could do for us... Read more online by clicking the linked title.

Teaching Articles

Passover – God’s Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare | Avner Boskey | At the onset of WWII Prime Minister Winston Churchill consolidated a number of secret intelligence operations groups into the SOE (Special Operations Executive) in the UK’s fight to defeat Nazi Germany. This new group was given various informal names, including ‘the Baker Street Irregulars’ (one of their offices was at 64 Baker Street), ‘Churchill’s Toyshop,’ and the ‘Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.’ This last term was a droll aside at those British and American diplomats who frowned strongly on the use of counter-terrorist methods against the Nazi juggernaut. “Gentlemen don’t read each other’s mail” was their naïve understanding. Read more online by clicking the linked title.

Israeli Ministries on Tours  |  BOOKING meetings now (See open dates)  Inside the attached Weekly Summary are itineraries and open dates for Kobi Ferguson, Marc Chopinsky  and Ronit Bender 

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