No Longer Alone Arrows from Zion 2/19/2020

No Longer Alone
by Eitan Shishkoff

“I don’t know another soul here,” I thought to myself during the class break, feeling distant from the other adult students I was observing. I began to face the fact that, in a way, we are always alone. That is, we are bound within our mind, our consciousness, our self. Even our closest friends, even our spouses cannot breach that border. I have often wished not to be so alone, trapped within my own thoughts.

But are we really alone? Those of us who have experienced full reconciliation with God through Messiah’s atonement have been reunited with our Maker. In wrestling with my own “aloneness” I want to explore the divine response to this phenomenon—as a type of “therapy, healing and change of outlook.” First, let’s see what Yeshua went through on the cross.

Yeshua’s Aloneness | Yeshua felt alone, was alone, on the cross. He cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This was in blunt contrast to His prayer conversations in which He addressed God as “Father.” Yeshua knew that His Father was always with Him. Yet in being crucified, the Son of God submitted to temporary “abandonment” in order to bear our rebellion. He experienced the penalty we deserved—separation from a holy God, i.e. absolute aloneness. The one person who was never truly alone embraced isolation from everyone and everything—utter darkness—in order to liberate us from the aloneness birthed in sin.

After His resurrection, as our Shepherd finished His work on this earth, He gave us this guarantee, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20)!!! Knowing our capacity to feel alone, separate, detached, disconnected, He assured us as His disciples, “I’ll always be with you, in every situation, no matter what’s going on inside of you.”

Elijah’s Aloneness | Elijah thought he was alone. In a cave, following the astounding victory on Mt. Carmel, the prophet was convinced of his aloneness. Then God spoke to him in a whisper. The Author of the universe was right there, with the prophet, at the mouth of the cave, when Elijah was depressed and suffering by himself. God, entirely aware of His servant’s inner state, challenged him to come out of his introspection and go back to his history-altering calling. Thus he “finished well,” setting in motion the destinies of two kings and the young prophet who succeeded him.

I sometimes find myself in such a cave. There, I become consumed with self-doubts, self-condemnation, and pointless regrets about my past. In that cave I need to hear the whisper of my God. I need to remember and rejoice in the truth David learned. “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death [a fitting metaphor for the loneliness of depression/discouragement/self-focus] I will fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

Practicing His Presence | Now I’m sitting alone. It is a holy moment. Silence…and I am with Him. Simply with Him. No agenda, no list, no regrets. It is not a lonely aloneness. Because Someone is with me. This must be what is called “the secret place.” The psalm that speaks of such a place (Psalm 91) contains enormous promises of God’s presence, protection, and abundance when I “abide with him.” This practice of being “alone,” but conscious of His presence with us is, I believe, our indispensable communion. Once united with Him, I can enjoy the richness of shared life with the people around me, and I am no longer alone.

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

Religious persecution rears its ugly head as the anti-missionary group Lehava has led violent attacks on a ministry house in Jerusalem. I can't say much about it at this time but pray for the protection of the people involved in the ministry, those coming to the ministry and also for some 'Damacus Road' type revealing of Yeshua to those religious persecutors. Speak, Peace! Be still over this effort to stop the work of the Lord.

Israel Pochtar also writes, "We are finding ourselves in a new season of intense religious persecutions, while also experiencing powerful breakthroughs!" To gain greater prayer insight, read more online Persecutions: God calls the persecuted blessed! and Launching operations of our humanitarian work from our new building in the midst of resistance. See also their Strategic Prayer Requests and A True Lasting Peace Plan for the Middle East: His name is YESHUA!

Gil Afrait of the Tel Aviv Tiferet Yeshua congregation writes about their first live streaming main service that launched last Friday in Hebrew. "Tiferet Yeshua is one of the only Hebrew-speaking-only congregations in Israel today, and its feeling and culture are Israeli. Because of that, our live stream will be a powerful witness of the gospel going out every week in Hebrew! Israelis lead the world in social media usage, and 85% of online Israelis use Facebook regularly, so our services will be going live on our Facebook stream every Friday." Tune in. An Excerpt from Our Friday Livestream. ALSO read One of Our Highest Priorities

From Maoz Ministries (Ari & Shira Sorko-Ram are the founders of Tiferet Yeshua), now as son-in-law Kobi and daughter Shani Ferguson begin to transition into the headship positions at Moaz, they write: "When Ari and Shira founded this congregation in 1995, we could only dream of seeing a Body of 200 Israelis in downtown Tel Aviv, singing, worshiping, preaching and teaching in the Hebrew language. Today, pastors Gil and Tamar Afriat shepherd this growing congregation of born-again Tel Avivians. Gil and his leadership team grew up in Israel, with no knowledge of Yeshua and His great gift of salvation. And they know what it is to have Yeshua the Messiah revealed to them through someone who cared enough to share the Gospel with them! That is why they are so passionate about reaching the lost.. . .
The cost for streaming the live services will be $20,000* each year. But oh! It is worth it! Will you partner with us to put these services on the Internet to reach throughout Israel and actually the whole world – wherever Israelis are? Donate to Tiferet Yeshua for the salvation of Israel.

Also in the Maoz weekly prayer requests email they ask prayers for local ministries as "No one person or ministry can bear the burden of all God wants to do in this Land." Their prayers are FOR the diversity of ministries in Israel - for unity, vision, strengthening of marriages, relationship, resources - For more, connect directly with the ministry or read in my Weekly Summary if you have a subscription.

From Revive Israel's Asher Intrater VIDEO Our Words Change Our World also VIDEO from Cody Archer with Daphne & Andrew Kirk Raising Up The End Time Generation. And The February Revive Israel Team Update

news.kehila.org has several articles and videos worth tracking down:  Howard Bass wrties Did NASA Spacecraft Discover the Firmament?. Dani Sayag's video message at the HaCarmel Congregation Who will deliver me from this body of death? and a MUST READ article — Bathsheba Part 1 and Part 2 | by Diana Levine —  that I have more to say about in My 2¢ as the Back Story ends this email.

Michael and Dina Beener of the City of Life congregation send an update from S'derot where the increase of missiles and explosives carried by colorful balloons from Gaza into the surrounding Israeli countryside have been daily in the Israeli headlines for weeks. S'derot being so close to Gaza already has a PTSD plagued population but the new developments continue to pile on. There is some good news they can report too, that is about the Israeli new laser system to shoot down incendiary or explosive carrying balloons & drones, called Light Blade. The Beeners write, "We invite you to be part of our ministry so that together we can bring hope to our border town of Sderot. Our work would not be possible without the help of partners like you, that is why we ask you to consider in prayer the possibility of a monthly commitment that will allow us to continue with our projects." DONATE here

Rania Sayegh of the Nazareth HOPE: House of Prayer & Exploits writes for prayers for upcoming events including the Arab Women and Youth Training Days on the Theme of Clear Vision. Rick and Patricia Ridings will be the speakers at both events. As well as another sister and friend of us Briskilla Zananiri American Jordanian who has joined our women gatherings for the past 4 years as one of our speakers. Rania asks prayers over all aspects of the upcoming events, and asks if you will prayerfully consider supporting us to cover expenses of these events for the women and youth who will participate in these events.

Rania reports that their January Arising Women's Breakfast were moving, to hear about how God is working in Syria and Iraq. Also how Messianic and Arab Christian pastors blessed the Women of Israel during the Welcoming the King of Glory Conference in Nazareth. This is one of those ministries in Israel who are following the LORD in two groundbreaking areas: ministry to Arab Christian women and also in pursuing the unity of faith between Messianic Jews and Christian Arabs. Worth learning more and lifting up before the LORD in prayers.

Jackie Santoro of Zion's Glory in Jerusalem, wrote this month about the Lord's strength in our weakness. Her reflections on this have encouraged her to step out in finalizing plans "to travel to Florida and Chesapeake, VA; the last two places Eddie and I visited in the spring of 2018 in what turned out to be our final trip together." She writes that she flies to Orlando on 2/23 and appreciates prayers "for smooth travel, divine appointments, health and strength and joy in my heart. Pray against all fear as i find myself in new places in the spirit as well as in the natural. I return to Israel on March 15." Also for the continual witness of her life that she sees among two unbelieving friends she spends considerable time with on the moshav.

She writes, "In the natural, this has also been an historic winter. The rain and cold weather have continued almost without break.  The Sea of Galilee is approaching full and there is talk that if the level continues to rise, the dam may be opened. Closed since 1992, opening the dam would send water into the Jordan which would then end up in the Dead Sea, which has been in the process of drying up and is in critical need of the additional fresh water. Pray that Israelis would see the merciful hand of God as he has answered the prayers for rain. There is no doubt that things are changing in the spirit in every area! As we walk through the great challenges facing us on every side, there are also great blessings that are lighting our way."

From  I do applaud Ron for so painstakingly addressing the accusations that have been coming against them. He writes, "One of the more troubling accusations was that we say one thing to our audiences abroad and something else in Israel. This is categorically false." I can see why it is so troubling to him since this is classic and true accusation that Israelis have made about the Palestinians since the Yasser Arafat days. It is a potent, emotion-packed accusation to level in Jewish circles. Ron writes, " Thus, in these series of responses to some of the allegations, I wanted to post them both in English on all our platforms and in Hebrew—showing there is no truth to this claim."

Also, Dan Juster tackles one of the theological papers he wrote 12 years ago that came under deep ojection from some of his fellow Israeli Messianic Jewish leadership friends. The article is There’s A Wideness in God’s Mercy.

Ron finishes by writing, "Having said that, can I enlist you to pray? The enemy is seeking to rip apart the small body of believers here in Israel. Pray for breakthrough! I believe we will see it. Thank you."

At the Carmel congregation led by Dani and LuAnne Sayag, they have been sharing their vision in a series throughout the month of January. Shabbat "vision messages" from Dec. 28 to Feb. 1st | Also they dedicated and launched a new daughter congregation called Ma'ayan Simcha (Spring of Joy) which is led by Sergei and Elke Babaskin. It is a Russian-speaking congregation that has been meeting together for the past 2 years & is now officially established. There are a great many areas of prayer for their many outreaches, for some in their congregation battling serious health issues, requests for how the corona virus is creating tourist cancellations to Israel, and their ministry abroad. For more, connect directly with the ministry or read in the Weekly Summary if you have a subscription

ALSO from Carmel, the announcement of Karen Davis' new album, Songs of Eternity that will release worldwide on March 6 - available on all digital platforms online, as well as in hard copies through www.galileeofthenations.com. Pre-ordering through iTunes and Galilee of the Nations Music will begin on Feb. 25. This album is dedicated to Karen's late husband, David Davis, the founder of Kehilat HaCarmel.

And lastly, the Carmel congregation will be co-hosting with The Global Watch two days of intercession and worship in the Kehilat HaCarmel worship center on April 2-3. International prayer leaders and intercessors will be joining together with Israeli believers — Jews and Arabs and others — to pray for an outpouring of revival in Israel, and security on the borders of Israel. If you are interested in attending as an international or local Israeli participant, registration is required. For more information or to register please email us at groups@carmelcongregation.org.il. [For more information on The Global Watch full prayer tour please visit their website at: https://www.theglobalwatch.com/israel-2020.html or e-mail them at info@theglobalwatch.com]

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

Please pray for full recovery for Rachel Netanel for food poisoning last month that sent her and Gilad to the hospital it was so severe. Gilad has recovered, but Rachel after 3 weeks was still in need of prayer for complete recovery. She also injured her back and continues to suffer from having to overdo it. | Ronit Bender says On Feb 23 I will be meeting a cardiologist regarding an irregular heartbeat. Although we don't look to doctors for healing, the Lord has given to men wisdom for helping people identify ailments and medicines for seasons. Please pray the Lord will give the doctor wisdom so I can continue to minister in the strength that the Lord continues to download into me. PLEASE do not stop praying regarding my health. Thanks!

Please continue to pray for Jacob Damkani, who remains after surgery locked in the place of non-communication. Pray the LORD's mercies over Jacob and his dear wife, Elisheva  | Continue please to pray for Ruth Nessim Critical prayer need she is losing sight! Prayers for a miracle for Ruth.| Olga Bikas has longstanding severe back pain. please keep praying for Olga. Sadly, she is not getting better and recently she has even felt worse for a period of time. Please continue to pray for all the Israeli ministry leaders who contracted influenza - it is a strain that really hangs on | Pray for Rania Sayegh who asks for prayer of restoration of strength, energy, and complete healing.

My 2¢

We often see Bathsheba portrayed in art and movies like a classic Jezebel-type figure, like Delilah or Salome. That is probably because, as Diana Levine points out in her article on Bathsheba Part 1 and Part 2, that is how she has been portrayed in most sermons and commentaries. Diana takes a fresh look at biblical facts and from a woman's eyes, Bathsheba may be the classic case of falling victim to leadership abuse. Don't get up in arms: hear her out because the revealed facts do bear witness.

This is one of the best things for women that I have read in ages! It is a MUST READ from Diana Levine. It was posted on Kehila in late January but I discovered it just hours after listening to a related video by Patricia King announcing a new ministry focus she is starting up. The focus has come about from the recent public exposure of ministry leaders, like Todd Bentley and others abusing their followers. Often the abuse is sexual, but not always                                                                                       .
     Patricia King was speaking about how the many public exposures of these leaders has given rise to an opportunity to minister to their victims, which has caused her to launch a Voice4Victims // Women On The Rise.
     I think this is fantastic development. I discovered Diana Levine's Bathsheba insights just hours after listening to Patricia King's Facebook video announcement along the very same lines — from the mouth of two witnesses AND it is confirmed also in my spirit.
     It is the victims, not the abusive spiritual leader who has been publicly exposed, that need our covering and ministry help. But the victim have most often been treated as ignored collateral damage in favor of covering and ministry to the abusive leaders.
     As Patricia King pointed out, God had given the abuser many opportunities to repent and get right, that it ended up publicly exposed is the sure sign that God had given them many opportunities to get right before that happened.
            Thank you, Diana Levine, for writing this important Bathsheba series and Patricia King for recognizing the opportunity to minister to victims of leadership sexual abuse.

          That's my 2¢ —Donna Diorio

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