Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Arise, shine | Arrows from Zion 3/4/2020

Arise, shine   
If Netanyahu succeeds in forming a government, then it is time for us to re-think our positions.


by Donna Diorio


Today the Republican leader of the United States Senate said, "The American people deserve a debate about how best to stand with Israel. How best to lead in the world. Not whether to do so at all."


That is the same debate that should be going on spiritually throughout the Christian world. It is past time to for spiritual people to be questioning whether we should be supporting Israel, God has made it clear to everyone with eyes to read His Word and ears to hear it preached. All we should be debating now is "how best to stand with Israel." That is the singular purpose of this prayer list and it always has been.

I think it would be safe to say that believers through the world who support Israel were very pleased to hear that it appears Benjamin Netanyahu has won  the substantial number seats required to form a government. There is little doubt in most minds that Israel's security and economic needs will be better served under a Netanyahu government than his Labor opponents would have executed.  That fact is complicated by how Netanyahu's political allies, the religious parties, will impact the Messianic Jewish believers of Israel.

In an election day
article by Ron Cantor, he wrote, "One believer who is not a fan of the Prime Minister told me, 'God told me to vote for Bibi.”

God may be up to something we haven't yet been able to see. After reading Ron's article the thought came to me that for a long time we have been locked into thinking that Bibi would be good for the nation of Israel, but not for the believers of Israel — or for those Jewish believers in the nations who want to become Israeli citizens.Then the thought came to me, that fight is over for the time being, so now what would God want to focus us on instead?

Immediately, I know that it is more important than ever for Christians in the nations to stand strongly behind the believing Jews in Israel and I do mean stand strong in every way — through comprehending what is the significance of a Messianic Jewish Body of Christ in Israel. (I say Christ for the sake of Christians to hear what I'm saying).

The presence of a Messianic Jewish body of believers in Israel's Messiah is significant not only  in terms of the salvation of Israel and Jews wherever they are in the world, but their presence and increase in Israel has an incredible, mysterious, surprise prophetic significance to believers from all the nations.

For as Israel has the breath of spiritual life breathed back into her (just like Ezekiel's prophecy of the valley of dry bones), that is going to mean life from the dead not only among the Jews, but also among our loved ones and fellow countrymen in the nations. Romans 11:15 couldn't spell it out any clearer: For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

The debate over if the Bible says this or not should be over! God's Word says that and much more if we will quit resisting the idea like Jonah resisted what God was prepared to do for the sinners of Nineveh.

While in the natural the situation for the Israeli Messianic Jews is shaping up to them seeing increased opposition in their country (but also increased effectiveness in salvation, signs and wonders), in the spiritual our calling in the nations to help them should have great clarity. Electing Netanyahu will not help them because it is our job as spiritual brothers to do that. No more helping Israel but not helping the body of Messiah in Israel. That day is over. Can you not sense that in the Spirit?

Today we must redouble our efforts to stand strong in prayer, financial help, volunteer help and even political advocacy. All those things are needed now more than ever before. Christians may be sighing a sigh of relief that Bibi has won, but his government will be a double-edged sword, with more aggressive religious opposition against Messianic Jewish believers. Don't turn a blind eye and you will see it.

For may Messianic Jews who are being turned out of Israel because of faith, and for those who are still in the nations but will not be allowed to become citizens, that saying, "Bloom where you are planted" comes to mind.  If you want to make aliyah but can't get in right now, then it is incumbent upon you to be a major factor in stirring Christians and other Messianic Jews in your nation to all the things discussed here.

If you as a Messianic Jew don't know the significance of the Messianic Jewish presence in Israel beyond your own innate desire to return to the ancient homeland, then it is about time that you awoke to that significance. If you cannot be there now, then support those who are there right now like you would like to be supported if you were there too. This is not every man for himself time, this is time to pour our support into the body of Messiah in Israel to do all that is in God's heart to do!

If you as a Christian don't know the significance to the Church of the Messianic Jewish presence in Israel beyond your understanding that God loves Israel, it is about time you awoke to the full nature of His plan is to SPIRITUALLY restore Israel. God is not wanting the restoration of lamb sacrifices in a third temple in Jerusalem, He is wanting Israel to receive the sacrifice of the blood of THE Lamb of God, Yeshua, for their sakes. So wake up!

You want to donate to Israel causes, then do it THROUGH the spiritual brothers and sisters of Jesus in Israel. There has never been a time when it was more important for Christians to get hold of our real connection in Israel.  If you know these things, then it is your charge to teach it to others who don't know. 

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

Maoz Israel covers much important ground in weekly prayer requests: the hodge podge of the Israeli legal system needs restructuring " give Israel leaders with wisdom in restructuring the way laws are made, communicated and enforced in the land.... even the repeated elections show the original way Israel’s voting system needs to be changed.| "A couple of weeks ago young and zealous Orthodox Jews attacked the home base of a ministry that reaches out to ex-Orthodox Jews who’ve rejected their upbringing. The attackers threw bricks through windows and destroyed property. This past week they beat and stabbed several of the ex-orthodox Jews on their way out of the place. Father... Protect and defend those who seek You... Forbid that the police overlook this situation as something not worth resolving because it is simply an attack on Messianic Jews."

Also Maoz is praying over the elections, security, the Iranian church ("Iran is being openly judged with economic turmoil, earthquakes, floods, pestilence, and social chaos, still its demonic rulers use time and money to accomplish their #1 goal – the annihilation of the Jewish State – Israel. The Iranian people are fed up, trapped and disillusioned with Islam. In the midst of all this the Lord Yeshua walks and saves and strengthens His Body which is growing very quickly in Iran.") | Anti-Semitism and Aliyah ("Lord, whatever it takes to wake up the Jews in the West.... Bless abundantly all those Christian organizations that are literally and figuratively carrying Your people back home on their shoulders. The call and purpose for Israel is significant in God’s plan – and therefore significant in God’s plan for you.")

From Israel Pochtar in Ashdod a report on the process of moving and  Equipping Our New Humanitarian Space for daily aid of people in the community. They are blessing the needy with clothes, food packages, donated furniture, house essentials or medical equipment, and more. You could help, click the link to learn more. They also have a Special children's Project for Purim also WATCH the video.  The Voice of Judah has a 2-day conference coming up for an expected 200 young people in the Next Level Youth Conference, learn more also WATCH

Hasdey Yeshua in Arad sends a report on their Bedouin outreach where they are being greeted with great love and hospitality even from people who do not have running water, windows, a roof on their home. "Please pray for our humanitarian outreach to bear much spiritual fruit in many lives." In the midst of this, the ultra-Orthodox are visiting trying to turn people away from attending their worship services. " Please pray for the salvation of the ultra-orthodox. They’re blind and are being mislead by their leaders." They are rejoicing in the abundant rain ("Please pray that the Lord will pour out spiritual rain) and share Sarah's video is in Hebrew with English subtitles. Sarah was a young victim of sexual abuse then Yeshua set her free - now she is an anointed song writer, wife and mother.

Avner Boskey of David's Tent writes about the seeds of anti-Semitism that were sown in the early church Bad seed, bad harvest

Sally S got word from her family to return to California because her 93-yr old mother was so rapidily declining and in hospice. She arrived, went to prayer over her mom who was in critical status. " My heart was for mom’s salvation, and for the restoration of our family…not only physically but spiritually as well." Her mom rallied: "God has our days numbered, and not one of them should be stolen by the devil.  Mom time was not then, and intercession works to stand in the gap on behalf of those who cannot stand on their own. God wants to save my whole family!"

We may have been standing praying for our families for so long it seems almost an "impossible" thing to believe for but God is not done, so we aren't either. It is time for us to rally in expectation again for God's restoration of our families.

From Chuck Cohen at Intercessors for Israel in Jerusalem, read in full Friday Prayer Points 2/28/20. On elections he writes, "Most Israelis are tired, discouraged and angry over this situation which is has been brought about by inflated egos of many politicians – especially Avigdor Liberman.... Abba, please give to Israel a stable coalition at this time (1 Pet. 2:13-14). Have mercy on Liberman by bringing him down from his arrogant perch (Prov. 11:2). Continue to reveal the true face of Benny Gantz, the leader of Blue & White which is the Likud's main opposition in this election (Job 28:11). Anoint those whom You are wanting to lead this nation to be able to speak words of truth (Prov. 8:7). "

From Revive Israel there will be a Purim: Esther Fast & Prayer for Unity Live Streaming March 9th beginning at 2 PM Israel Time. Also Asher teaches on the Gift of Prophecy VIDEO | Plus Greta Mavro, Revive in Greece Mary at the Tomb: Progressive Revelation, Part 2 and read about one of the primary directives from the Lord to Revive Israel in how they do Strategic Giving

Ron Cantor is hard to keep up with! He is doing so much: Listen to this encouraging word about not being in a panic about the Corona Virus. The word "panic" comes from the people who worship "Pan," the demonic god of lust. We are overcomers! Here is some more good news: Israeli researchers are three months away from a vaccine for Coronavirus. Be of good cheer! | in other news Initial Thoughts on Israel's Election | Israel has received so much rain this year—a record amount—that the country is bursting with color. Join us on our May trip. | US Democrat candidate: calls Netanyahu a racist, could move US embassy back to Tel Aviv | Ron interviews Yariv Goldman and Sean Steckbeck of the Adullam house in Jerusalem Messianic Jews come under attack as they reach out to former orthodox Jews | Also Join Ron and Cindy Jacobs, Paul Wilbur and others for a powerful time together April 3 - 4 Dallas/Ft Worth Conference | The Prophetic Destiny of Israel

There appears to be a lull in rockets from Gaza, but just last week there were over 100 rockets fired at Sderot. That's where  Michael and Dina Beener of the City of Life are ministering to the poor citizens of Sderot. One way they help is through distribution of diapers for children and adults — the majority of them being elderly, holocaust survivors, low-income families and families of new immigrants who are deeply grateful. This month they sent two touching testimonies of one woman who came to faith and another, a Holocaust survivor suffering oncological problems who said, "Thank you for encouraging me, coming to me, praying for me, really helps  me and gives me strength to move forward." The Beener's say, " 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"

At the Kerem-El, God's Vineyard congregation, a plant of Ha Carmel, the major need is for partners: " This year we have experienced a decrease in giving and a rise in extra needs within the congregation. Will you join us in 2020 as a financial partner with Kerem-El in the work God has given us? If you would like information on specific needs or projects, please contact us. We would greatly appreciate your support and would be honored to have you partner with us!"

I don't mean to embarrass Kerem-El or any other congregations by putting such emphasis on their need for financial support from the believers in the nations. This is not an isolated need but a widespread one among the Israeli ministries. We must make this a priority prayer request for them all!

Kerem-El sends a report on their participation in the week of prayer for the congregations of Haifa as they prayed over the needs of the congregations and the communities they are ministering to. They ask for prayers for continued unity and partnership as we seek to reach Haifa for the glory of God. Also they held their biannual congregational Shabbat dinner, an evening fellowship with Seniors and Young Adults (what a great idea!) and the Women's gathering and Youth Group ministry. Pray with them over all these.

Another ministry that operates out of the HaCarmel congregation is the Beit Tiferet Yeshua, a worship & arts ministry. There is an invitation open for those want to take part in the 1-2 week heART Incense Arising Gatherings, but also for longer periods of 1-3 months "to wake up every morning to worship Him and celebrate Him through prayer and the arts, to glorify Him through communion in Israel, to join a radical and powerful infiltration of the LORD’s Presence on top of Mt. Carmel." There will also be a Shavuot/Pentecost gathering 4-nights in a Jerusalem penthouse, and other artistic-oriented worship events. Contact by email for more information.

From the Tents of Mercy, Avi Tekel is preparing for the upcoming Passover for their distribution to 800 needy families in the Kiryat Yam community. "We have almost half of the funds, but need another $15,000 (each basket costs $75). Please prayerfully consider participating in this endeavor which God has entrusted to us." They also do a regular monthly food basket and their humanitarian center is open 4 times a week for clothing & household goods, mostly to immigrants & other needy locals. There are so many people living in poverty in Israel and the Israeli Messianic ministries are doing such a great work, their cities are very appreciative. It is a good testimony of their faith to say the least!

Tents is also rededicating themselves to regular prayer and worship meetings that are open to all the congregants but they especially seek to develop worship in the lives of their young people. An encouragement in that endeavor is a young woman who had been living as an unbeliever for the past five years who returned to  follow the Lord - an answer to their prayers! They also write: " We want all of you around the world to know that just as you pray for us, we also pray for you! The health and safety of your communities is a strong focus right now. May God spread His protection over you and give wisdom and insight to medical staff and political officials as they seek to contain the virus and treat its victims.

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
 
URGENT PRAYER NEED from Ronit Bender whose cardiologist told her that her irregular heartbeat is SEVERE, and is suggesting further tests. Please intercede for Ronit: No weapon formed against her shall prosper! | Pray for members of the Yeshua's Inheritance congregation in Beer Sheva who were exposed to the Corona Virus via Christian visitors from Korea. All have quarantined.

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. | 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.
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Article  The Significance is Ours to Give

3/4/20  Aleksey and Alla Raikhstadt  Jaffa
 Beit Immanuel Congregation,
beitimm@gmail.com  http://www.messianic-jews.org  Donations: http://www.messianic-jews.org/#!donate/c1avz
“One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” Romans 14:5–8

In many countries, Christmas is the most widely celebrated holiday of the year. It recognizes an event that took place over 2000 years ago which changed the world. For most people in these countries, Christmas becomes an important celebration already from their childhood, but for those of us who grew up in the Soviet Union, we only heard about it for the first time after the collapse of the Iron Curtain.
           
The Soviet government eliminated all faith in God to such a great extent that as a child I was taught to instead adore Lenin as a godlike figure and to cherish the ideals of communism. Christmas was replaced by our New Year celebration which became the most important holiday of the year. During the New Year, we also decorated a tree but instead of placing a star of Bethlehem or an angel on its top, a red star (a symbol of Soviet power) was to shine at the highest point. We exchanged gifts and were encouraged to rejoice in the hopes that the New Year would be better than the previous one. It was only many years after my childhood when I learned that many countries with millions of people celebrated Christmas in December. However, this only began to have significance to me, once I gave my life to Christ.
                                   
When I initially moved to Israel, I found that neither the New Year nor Christmas was celebrated here. Instead, Hanukkah, also known as the Feast of Renewal or the Feast of Light, is celebrated nationwide. Although we do not find the holiday stated in Tanakh, the events associated with it are well described in the books of Maccabees 1 and 2.

This brought up a dilemma within me. What was to be celebrated? Should the past be abandoned (New Year)? Should the present be embraced (celebrating and rejoicing at the birth of our Savior)? Or, were we to embrace our Jewish heritage (celebrating only the Israeli holidays)? I was not alone in having these questions, as many of those who made Aliyah (immigrated) to Israel faced the same uncertainty.
           
My initial inclination was to ensure I would not become a stumbling block for those around me in the sense that I would be setting an example for celebrating things that are not related to our people. However, over time it became clear to me that what I considered a stumbling block was an opportunity to carry and present the good news of the Gospel. Currently, many Israelis celebrate the New Year. Why would they do this? My personal opinion is that they simply want a reason to celebrate. However, I’ve also found that because of this quite a few Israelis are very interested in learning about Christmas.


Across the street from our congregation is a Lutheran Church where every Christmas Eve a concert is held using a beautifully played organ to celebrate the birth of Jesus. It would seem that this would be foreign to local Jews and mostly avoided, but every year the church is packed to the brim with people. Most of those in attendance are not Christians or tourists, but rather native Israelis who want to listen to beautiful music. This became an excellent opportunity for us to tell them about their Messiah who came to the world 2000 years ago.
The church spire from Beit Immanuel roof top

For the past couple of years, we have invited hundreds of people to Beit Immanuel after the concerts to enjoy a cup of hot tea and some biscuits. Those who accept the invitation end up learning that Christians celebrate the birth of their Jewish Messiah, which the Torah, the prophets, and the Scriptures all prophesy about! This is a wonderful way for us to testify of our Jewish Messiah to His people and the most appropriate way for Messianic Jews to relate to this holiday.

Preaching through holidays is not something new to us. In Jewish tradition, every Jewish holiday is used to preach God’s word. And we believe that if a foreign holiday such as Christmas can attract so many Israelis, then how many more people will have a desire to come and celebrate with us one of the greatest of Jewish holidays, Passover, the feast of the deliverance of the Jewish people from Egyptian slavery. This holiday is filled with references to our Messiah. An innocent lamb sacrificed in Passover is a reference to Christ, as is expressed in John 1:29 “The next day John sees Jesus coming to him and says: Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” This year we would like to celebrate this wonderful holiday in our congregation and invite nonbelievers to attend. This will give us the opportunity, through the symbolism of the established rites, to show the true meaning of this holiday and ultimately share Christ with them.

Please pray with us that the Lord will lead the way for us to do this. Pray for God’s protection, for God to open the hearts of those who come, and for God’s provision and wisdom to be poured over us so that we may organize this event.



THANK YOU to those who have considered this ministry worthy of financial support.

Donna Diorio  donna@israelprayer.com or donna@d10r10.com
Donations appreciated | on PayPal donna@israelprayer.com
Or by postal mail make donations payable to the order of Donna Diorio
P O Box 111302 Carrollton, Texas 75006  |  I do not have tax exempt status. 

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