Arrows from Zion 12/5/2018

Scheduled to mail tomorrow, this Arrows has been sent out a day ahead of schedule due to developments in Israel needing prayer. The graphic had already been prepared in advance, so the lighting of the 4th candle does not take place until tomorrow night, December 5, 2018.

Tonight the fourth candle on the Hanukiah will be lit.  The Servant Candle sits in the center of the lamp stand, high and lifted up above the other candles. It is the first candle lit and is the One used to light up all the others. The Messiah, Yeshua, can be seen in all the biblical holidays. Hanukkah is no exception.

Honoring Our Traditions Honoring Him

“The Festival of Dedication then took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Yeshua was walking in the temple in Solomon’s portico.” John 10:22-23

Regardless of all the traditions that surround both the Jewish celebration of the Feast of Dedication and the Christian celebration of Christmas, the intent behind both that is the heart of God is to honor the Messiah Yeshua. Everything else is pale and wanting compared to that and arguments over these holidays are far from honoring.

When you read John 10:22-23 which is evidence that Yeshua recognized this festival and made His presence known in the Temple during that time, you should also take note of what else was happening. In the context Yeshua is confronting the deep controversy about who He is before and after these two verses. There was great division among the Jews that day as to His claim to be the Good Shepherd, the Door to the Father in Heaven.

He was challenged outright, "If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." He answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about Me."

This is the same state of things today, but as in the four Gospels and the book of Acts, today Jews around the world and in Israel are hearing His voice and following Him. I am not so interested in the miracle of the oil party of the Hanukkah story as I am in seeing the Servant candle lighting all the other candles in the Menorah.

As for Christmas - don't get me started about all the pale and wanting diversions from the intent of this celebration. However all of the diversions do not wipe out the intent, which is to honor the supernatural birth of God's Messiah into the world. It hardly matters to me exactly when it happened; it is enough to me that for a couple of thousand years Christians have set aside a date to honor His birth.

A friend on Facebook made an excellent suggestion the other day, which can keep us anchored in the true meaning of the Christmas celebration. The suggestion was beginning Dec 1st, read one chapter of Luke each day all the way up to Dec 24th. It is the full story of Yeshua's birth, life, death and resurrection. What better time to remind ourselves what is the meaning of all this.

It is not how everyone else regards these holy days that matters, it's how we do - the Remnant of God.

Arrows from Zion
Summarized from the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests Israeli Ministries by subscription only donna@israelprayer.com

In light of Operation Northern Shield, the Israeli operation launched today to expose and neutralize cross-border attack tunnels dug by Hezbollah from Lebanon to Israel, we lead with a few prayer points from the IFI, Intercessors for Israel Jerusalem and an update on the situation from the Sorko-Ram's Maoz Ministries:

I was already struck by the profoundly true opening statement from IFI's last Friday Prayer Points: "At times, the situation in Israel feels very heavy in the spiritual realm. This impacts our whole walk and outlook, and so we read from Psalm 37 to encourage our hearts before the Lord our God." From there they go on to pray over the northern border issues that are in play as of this morning.  One critical prayer point: "Impart wisdom and a unity to all security leaders in Israel" Read more by connecting directly with the ministry, or by subscribing to the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries

Katy at Maoz Ministries also sent out early this week due to military defense operations unfolding this day at the northern border. She gives background going back to 2013 at the first indications Hezbollah was doing drilling underground which IDF forces in large numbers and with heavy equipment are streaming into the north to detect and destruct their tunnels on the Israeli side of the border. There is, understandably somewhat of a news blackout: "Someone said on the radio this morning, that we will probably only hear from the IDF when a terror tunnel is located and destroyed. That said, every Israeli understands that this is big, important, and dangerous." Please pray for an effective/successful dismantling of all the terror tunnels on Israel's border as it cuts off a surprise attack route of the terrorist armies into Israel.  Keep these matters in prayer.

From Hasdey Yeshua in Arad, Moti Vakin of One for Israel recently blessed them with an encouraging message. They share his testimony video. They also share good news about the home schooling efforts that are going on in their congregation as parents try to raise their children in the ways of the Lord, instead of the ways of public schooling in Israel. Many Israeli ministries are doing what they can to provide these kinds of options for stronger kids and stronger families.  They ask prayer for their ministry to the Bedouin, also promise an update on their property search (the one they had in mind has run into issues and they are seeking the LORD to know how to proceed).

From the Israel's Restoration of Tikkun Global: An article by Dan Juster on The Two Greatest Miracle Books of the Bible; Asher Intrater on Globalization; Guy Cohen on One-Ness in God’s Love; also Asher's Moses & The Millenium; and the Return to Zion School Of Arts & Children’s Programs. Lastly an article I cannot commend more highly by Ron Cantor: Yeshua Transfers Authority from Rabbis to Apostles

Evan Levine of the HaTikva Project marvels over the favor God is showing them in the halls of government... and He is opening the hearts of the Jewish people to the Messiah." They believe the prophecies, but it is a marvel when prophecy unfolds in your midst. Evan writes, "Today, Messianic ministries such as HaTikva Project are starting to make great societal inroads and are normalizing the relationship between Israel and Jewish believers leading to even further openness to the Gospel.. .. This coming year will be critical to laying the foundation for our third dental clinic, expanding our recruitment and counseling service with families that are adopting and fostering, and continuing to meet the financial needs of Israeli believers." Please give into the good Israeli soil of Messianic ministries.

From Israel Pochtar in Ashdod, an great testimony of when two Messianic Jewish representatives minister to two Syrian Muslims in Norway - touching their hearts with the love in Yeshua. Israel also includes a December overview prayer request list including prayer for funding to cover all the outreaches and ministry work they are planning in the coming year - discipleship Bible course, home groups, launching a new Ashkeon congregation, helping a Beer Sheva rehab...and many other things they are running with the Lord's vision for in Israel. Please learn more by connecting directly with the ministry, or by subscribing to the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries

Without help from the Christians in the nations, the only Christian bookshop with its doors still open in Haifa will have to close. Pastor Najeeb & Elizabeth Atteith, Christian Lebanese Israelis who operate the Immanuel Bookshop, have been doing everything they know to do to keep the doors open so they can continue to distribute Bible materials and minister to Jews, Arabs and all who enter their shop. They also minister among the war refugees in Jordan, to Arab soldiers serving in the IDF, and their own church, also called Immanuel. Learn more about their work Read more inside the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries or by connecting directly with the ministry.

Ron Cantor of Messiah's Mandate has a new show YOUR ISRAEL CONNECTION, a weekly news magazine about the nation of Israel. Please tune in! Also articles by Ron 71 Years Ago YESTERDAY, the Most Amazing Thing Happened and The Israeli Grocery Store Experience | 100 Things I love about living in Israel  Ron Cantor has also taken on a huge role in providing funds for the Tel Aviv Tiferet Yeshua congregation to meet their annual budget needs.  It would be a great time to bless Ron in all his ministry efforts with a donation towards his commitment to the congregation.

Revive Israel shares an important word from Harald Walker Prophetic Alert to the Church, Cody Archer sits with Malek Gavris to discuss Taking Sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and Asher Intrater in the video How Will All Israel Be Saved? speaks about the connection between the fullness of the gentiles and the salvation of Israel.

Avner Boskey of David's Tent has a new article online Maccabees, wanna-be’s and fake news – the real story of Hanukkah

Eddie & Jackie Santoro write about the first night of Chanukah, the Ahavat Yeshua congregation in the heart of Jerusalem asking prayers for all the young, devoted believers who are serving there. Eddie also shares a prayer request on his health report - brain still clear of cancer cells, but they want all the effects of the treatments to be healed too, especially in terms of memory. The Santoro's are an inspiring couple who have been involved in mentoring the next generation of Israeli ministers since arrival in Israel. I would also recommend Eddie's inspiring book, Lifted Up: Overcoming through the Power of Love

At the year end, the Peniel Fellowship in Tiberias shares one testimony of salvation and deliverance one single mom received when she came to their service 10 years ago. She is still with them living a life that has had curses removed and blessing given. Read her testimony in the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries or by connecting directly with the ministry. Also, Peniel was recently shocked to receive notice that the building which has housed their children's school for about 30 years will no longer be available to them. Pray for them as this is an important part of their ministry to their families.

They also lift the arms of those other Messianic ministries who are being persecuted regarding congregational buildings  - this as they continue to thank the Lord for those who are helping their building fund to continue to grow. They write, " One fellowship in the south of Israel bought a meeting place which needed to be renovated. They have worked hard for several years to complete this project and now they are threatened by their local authority with legal actions against them to prevent them from entering their place. (Israel Pochtar's congregation). Similar situations we have seen more than once over the years. Another fellowship was hindered for 18 years from entering their building and still another fellowship was hindered for 9 years from entering a building they had bought. So, please pray with us for God's protection, wisdom, guidance & provision. Every force that raises against the God of Israel and His Messiah Yeshua will be defeated." Please pray in agreement for the work of ministry of the Gospel to continue to go forth and prosper in Israel.

Orna Grinman has a new blog article, Peace, Dentures and Soccer Balls

Lastly, Howard Bass in Beer Sheva writes:  Do you know, by the way, that the 'miracle' of the one cruze of oil that lasted for 8 days is just a tradition that was made up? (like some traditions in other Jewish and Christian holidays that detract from the main thing).  At the end of his comments he writes, "Please pray that as believers we honor the Lord out of a pure heart, and that we not bring in needless confusion and division." Amen!

Howard also writes about the good work of the CMJ (Christian Ministry to the Jews) which he is connected with and how, "Gentile Christians have a charge and obligation from the Lord Yeshua/Jesus to show mercy to His Jewish people and to also provoke them to jealousy for their God whom they have turned away from.  Please keep the CMJ, and other such ministries that you may be familiar with, in your prayers. "

News from the Beer Sheva congregation, Bass says they are beginning a new discipleship study program. Please pray for those groups and also for the young adults of Yeshua's Inheritance congregation.

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

Please keep in prayer these Israeli ministry leaders and believers with urgent health needs

CONTINUED URGENT PRAYER FOR JACOB DAMKANI | Praise the LORD continued ALL-Clear on EDDIE SANTORO's MRI showing no signs of brain cancer - there has been damage from the treatments & surgeries, especially to memory. He asks prayers for "of healing not only the eradication of the cancer but a restoration of all that has been lost." | Albert a Messianic leader from southern Israel, has had a successful surgery and an amazing recovery but keep praying for total restoration |  Rania Sayegh asks for prayer of restoration of strength, energy, and complete healing.| Olga Bikas continues to suffer from chronic, acute back pain. She is getting medication and physiotherapeutic treatments but without any substantial improvement | Ruth Nessim has several health issues, read in her update this week: Most critical EYES.|  

The Israeli Messianic Marketplace  Feature of the Week:

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. Our vision is to connect the millions of Christians around the world who love Israel with the Messianic community in Israel. KehilaNews.com  Donate  to this important resource here  Click on the picture or Title to link to the story.

Watch this 1-Minute Video introduction of Kehila News Israel and please support this important ministry resource.

KNI is reaching out to the Christian world with news about and from the Israeli Messianic community of faith - and an perfect online resource for Jews who are interested to learn more about the faith in Yeshua.

Recent Special Message from Kehila: We at Kehila News give thanks that the site has grown to have over 13,000 email subscribers. Yet as the site and mailing list have grown, the total donations have actually decreased. Unfortunately, we have perhaps not communicated on a regular basis the importance of your financial support. 

We are asking our readers and supporters to help us meet our goal of raising $15,000 by the end of the year, so we can at least match our income from last year.

We also ask that you remember us in prayer. We believe it's time for a “David” to rise up and take on the "giants" in the media sphere for the purpose that “all the world may know that there is a God in Israel.”

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Donna Diorio 
donna@israelprayer.com or donna@d10r10.com
 
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