Arrows from Zion 1/1/2019

Priority Prayer Focus 

In the new year, I don't think there is a higher resolution that we could make for ourselves than what is expressed in Philippians 3:12-14 to press on to take hold of that which Messiah Yeshua took hold of us. We all fall short in many ways, but in Him we can all continue to press forward in our high calling.

Reflecting

I am starting out the first day of 2019 the same way I finished the last day of 2018, by working on Arrows from Zion and the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries. But I will be honest with you, this year has been a hard one and the last few weeks the whispered question in my mind has been, Is the effort really helping? Is the work making any difference? Are you really reaching people?

This past year I made a change in how I distribute Arrows from Zion, the shorter version of the Weekly Summary. I have to keep the Weekly Summary off of the internet because there are too many details that could be used against the ministries in Israel. But I was always working in the blind, never knowing how many people actually wanted the long version — or the short version, Arrows, for that matter!

So I removed Arrows from the list that sends out the Weekly Summary and put it on a list that I can see who is opening the email and who rarely touch it. Also, I got a better reading of who actually uses the Weekly Summary, because to continue to receive it, subscribers had to specifically renew their request to me.

It was enlightening. I was reaching only half of my list. That was really hard to deal with. You think one thing is happening and it's not that at all. I was able to improve Arrows from Zion greatly, but now I see better why God did not want David numbering the people in 1 Chronicles 21! When you see how weak the numbers are, it is disheartening. Disheartening — like discouraging: the "dis" is the removal of whatever essence it is attached to: courage, heart.

2018 has been a year that has been greatly humbling to me and anything I thought I was getting done. Even pressing ahead with improvements, my donor support dwindled down to nothing.

Many say, If God is in it, He will provide for it. It's another one of those hard, fast Christian dogmas that I don't think is always true. Maybe mostly true, but if it were always true then the ministries in Israel would be overflowing with donor support, and they just aren't. I KNOW that God is 100% behind what they are doing to reach the people of Israel. So I have to remind myself of that when I don't bring in enough donations to even cover the expenses of producing my mailing.

As my husband and I were talking about this yesterday, he said, 'There may not be donations, but that doesn't mean there are not blessings.' It's true. Even though the discouragements of 2018 were many, I cannot see altering my course in 2019. Arrows from Zion and the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries will continue on. It is my calling to do it.

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

The yearend wrap up of Avner and Rachel Boskey take a look back at the good things of 2018 in their ministry including a review of their US tour 21 Days in November and several new articles from Avner, Three red cherries and a one-armed bandit on the winds of change sweeping the earth, and the intriguingly titled, Cross-dressing – the One New Man and the Bride of Messiah. They have new emphasis on visual communications with Our YouTube channel is Signet Ring Media. Also Listen to a song for you

Eddie and Jackie Santoro write about how the battle for Eddie's health continues with the reemergence of the brain tumor for the third time. Please read more in the Weekly Summary - their faith remains high despite the bad news. Here is an interview with the Santoro's Once again in need of a miracle in KehilaNews this week. In an earlier email, Eddie and Jackie wrote about the Israeli curiosity about Christmas. They wrote, "It is a great opportunity for evangelism and many of the believers go there to share with the Israelis the truth about Christmas - that this holiday is really about their Messiah!  Please pray that as Israelis go around looking to "see" Christmas - not only here but throughout the world that they would encounter Yeshua and the true meaning of this holiday."

From Revive Israel, Asher Intrater writes on 3 Goals of Teamwork, Video with Cody Archer & Ariel Blumenthal on One New Man, and Dan Juster's video Expanding the Kingdom

Israel Pochtar writes about their efforts to bless the many Russian and Ukraine Jews who fled terrible circumstances with little more than the clothes on their back. One of their projects is supplying these people with winter essentials — from blankets to electrical heaters. Watch this video testimony. Also of the "Celebration of the birth of the Jewish Messiah," Israel writes, "How could anyone possibly say it's not a Jewish holiday if it celebrates the birth of our Jewish Messiah, who was born a few miles away from where we write these lines. Yeshua chose to be born here, so it would be impossible to forget that Israel was his homeland, it was here that He chose to reveal Himself to His own brethren - the nation of Israel."

Ron Cantor has a several part series in writing and on video called Secrets Surrounding the Birth of Jesus. Also a super report about the news crew from "i24, a major Israeli news outlet for Jews and Evangelicals all over the world came to Nes v'Cafe to do a story on Messianic Judaism. The other day, I did an hour long interview with one of their hosts, Emily Frances. I had free rein to fully explain what we believe, share my testimony and more. Pray that God will use this interview to touch Jewish people all over the world." Also, Ron's latest, a news summary VIDEO Your Israel Connection. And finally an article by a young man mentored by Ron in his first blog article, "Who are you to judge me?" by Michael Elady

Orna Grinman's new blog post The Love Revolution is the Jewish view of the outreach she just did with a Christian Arab sister, Rania Sayegh, who is also featured this week in the Weekly Summary talking about their street ministry distributing 300 roses to areas in Jerusalem neighborhoods populated mostly by Arabs. You will want to read both of their accounts. Orna's online, Rania's in the Weekly Summary along with other news from her prophetic intercessory ministry from Nazareth.

The Tikkun Global email in Dec featured a little background on the Tents of Mercy congregation which was founded by Eitan Shishkoff, who recently transferred the leadership role to Avi Tekle, his son-in-law. The humanitarian outreach center is central to the heart of the Messianic congregation in one of the poorer areas of Israel, known as the Kryot—the ‘towns’.  Volunteers come from within Israel and all over the world to help distribute food and clothing all throughout the year. During the holidays like Rosh Hashanah and Passover, they extend the distribution and give away 700 large bags to ensure that these precious people have food and other special holiday items with which to celebrate the feasts.  This was a year end appeal, but it is never too late to sow into the good soil by designating a donation to the humanitarian work.

Howard Bass in Beer Sheva writes about their annual trek to Bethlehem to worship with the Christian Arab brothers & sisters. Here is "one of the songs that we did at Immanuel Church  and here is my Christmas message to Yeshua's Inheritance Congregation" in writing.

Kobi and Shani Ferguson recap their year  "we ministered to over 30 congregations abroad offering a glimpse into life in Israel, God’s heart for His prodigal people....Our Israel Family Initiative provided for the medical, educational, physical and spiritual needs of families, orphans, widows and IDF soldiers. Our Israel Worship Initiative brought together over 100 Israeli musicians, psalmists and songwriters from all over the country to network and invest in their spiritual development and practical skills." Learn more inside the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries or by connecting directly with the ministry.

In the past 17 years of following Israeli Ministries, I have never seen such an explosion of so many noting the Israeli interest in Christmas festivities. It has come from believer sources, as well as non-believer sources, like Tablet Magazine that recently carried an article, "Christmas Envy—in Israel". Recently I read about an exchange between an Israeli believer and a religious Jew where the believer distanced themselves from the Christmas festivities but the religious Jew's reaction was in gist, What? Are you kidding? I am interested BECAUSE of Christmas! Now who would have thought that making Israel "jealous" would ever have come in the form of Israelis envy & fascination with Christmas celebrations?

Martin Sarvis writes exactly on that subject about how Israelis were showing great interest in Christmas this year, packing out Christmas services in the Old City Jerusalem, classical radio stations playing Christmas music for a couple of days around Christmas. Martin writes, "Remarkably, it has become not uncommon in the past few years, to hear the radio announcer, during preliminary remarks for, say, a performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, made use of Jesus’ true Hebrew name Yeshua, rather than the “Yeshu” which most Israelis have been taught since childhood is his name.... PLEASE PRAY: That Israel would recognize Who loves her with an everlasting love, and is drawing her with loving kindness (Jer. 31:3). Who was “in the beginning with God —who is the true Light which came into this world in the “House of Bread” –Bet-Lehem (“Bethlehem”)—who lived and died and was raised to bring life to the house of Israel—and the whole world!

Also, the Revive Israel video outside Christ's Church at the Jaffa Gate in the Old City Jerusalem. A packed house to hear the Christmas worship service.

KehilaNews.com  reports that it was able to meet and even exceed its goal of raising over $15,000 to cover the months. They are giving thanks for those who responded to the call and explain some of their vision for providing a centralized platform to help Israeli ministries reach a larger audience. Read more Read more inside the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries or by connecting directly with the ministry. A  few of the selections featured in KehilaNews: A sign spoken against by Howard Bass | Secrets surrounding the birth of Messiah (Part 1) by Ron Cantor | VIDEO: Hananya Naftali I was born in the Galilee  

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

EDDIE SANTORO's latest MRI showed the return of the brain tumor. The doctors will only finish out the treatment he is already was having - only 1 more treatment and they are stopping further medical interventions. From the beginning, God spoke to Eddie to flow with the doctors in dealing with the brain tumor. The doctors always said it would come back and now for a third time, it has. The doctors have reached the end of what they can do - and Eddie has miraculously lived long past what they expected from the beginning. Eddie and Jackie are holding onto their faith, and Eddie is also spiritually set to receive the needed miracle to live, or to be present with the LORD. Please pray for the miracle of life for Eddie as he as done as the LORD said, flowed with the doctors. Where human strength fails, God's power arises.

Olga Bikas’s health condition that seems to have become chronic, with no hope from the doctors for any improvement in the future. This, no doubt, puts an additional emotional and physical burden on our family. Please pray for her acute back pain. | CONTINUED URGENT PRAYER FOR JACOB DAMKANI still in a critical condition | 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.| Ruth Nessim has several health issues, read in her update this week: Most critical EYES.|  

Praying the Headlines
(Maybe I Should Re-Label this My Word!)

I am including this Caspari Media Review summary of a news article in HaAretz, because I find it so appalling that Christians are still being suckered into going to the unsaved rabbis instead of the saved Messianic Jewish ministries so they can learn "authentic Torah teaching." Fine, you want to learn the Bible from someone who does not have the Spirit of God indwelling their hearts and enlightening their teaching? You are the one who is placing them and you in spiritual jeopardy. Currying favor with the unsaved rabbis is not helping you or them. -Donna

Haaretz, December 20, 2018 | There is a growing trend amongst Evangelical Christians who desire to study the Bible from rabbis in so-called “Yeshivas for Christians.” Rivkah Lambert Adler, an Orthodox Jewish educator, said: “It’s become a phenomenon. What we’re seeing is a profound hunger and thirst among Christians for authentic Torah teaching.” A number of such yeshivas have emerged recently, many of them as partnerships between Orthodox Jews and Evangelical Christians. Some offer online learning, others involve face-to-face education in Israel. The demand is high, but there are few teachers, and the different yeshivas often share teaching rosters. Lambert Adler said this is because “the pool of teachers who are Jewishly knowledgeable, who are English-speaking and who are willing to engage with non-Jews is relatively small.” When asked why Orthodox Jews are reluctant to teach Christians, Lambert Adler responded: “The Jewish people, by and large, are very defensive about Christians. We tend not to trust them, we tend to think they have a missionizing agenda 100% of the time, and we tend to want them to just leave us alone.”

Secondly, I was equally appalled by an email link to an article in a Charismatic magazine over Christmas:  FIRST I DO NOT RECOMMEND THE ARTICLE but I'm using it for illustrative purposes. The link in Christian magazine actually sent you to the article that was published in Breaking Israel News - a source that is wholly untrustworthy. "Are We in End Times : Orthodox Children Prophesy Great Worldwide Turmoil" (read it if you must)

I believe the conflict is becoming more and more brought to the fore of our vision, when Israel-supporting Christians still have not figured out that although we are to consider unsaved Israel "beloved" for the forefathers sake, they are at the same time "enemies of the gospel."

I see this conflict manifested in Christians who make no difference between the Israeli Jews who believe in Jesus and the Israeli Jews who don't. Here it is one is our spiritual FAMILY and the others are the ones we pray will become our spiritual FAMILY, but in the mean time we need to see them as human beings who are not infilled nor empowered by the Spirit of God in Messiah.

"Yeah, yeah, we know that," some would say, "but we are trying to reach them with our kindness toward them in Jesus' name."

That should not include hanging on every word or action that you assume is a prophetic sign. Like the article that came from an Israel-supporting Christian source this morning asking, "Are We in End Times? Orthodox Children Prophesy Great Worldwide Turmoil. While not everything these children say is biblical, could this prophecy pertain to Jesus' return?"

Prophecy that is from God is given by the Holy Spirit. Those who are not imbued by the Holy Spirit cannot speak prophecy by the Holy Spirit.

The kids in this article are saying, "The Messiah is already here and the final, painful stages are about to commence." The article cites a Talmud opinion that says, "Since the Temple was destroyed, prophecy was taken from the prophets and given to shotim (judges) and children."

NO! That is not where the spirit of Prophecy was transferred. "For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” The administrative offices of God - prophet, priest & king - are all fulfilled in Jesus, who has delegated them to those who are His by faith - we all are called the priesthood, and the administrative offices are the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers who are in the faith and power of the Holy Spirit.

Why would Christians who have been Christians most of their lives even consider this? Is there no discernment whatsoever when it comes to Israel? Honestly, is this what incrementally falling away looks like? Not being able to comprehend that little autistic Orthodox children in Israel are not empowered by the Holy Spirit to prophesy the truth?

"Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. ... "If anyone tells you then, Look, here is the Messiah!' or, Over here!' do not believe it!"

The whole of Matthew 24 which so many seem intent to keep walking blindly into.

—To End This on A More Positive Note

If you want to be astounded by the growth of Israel Messianic Jewish believers in Israel just watch this short video by ONE FOR ISRAEL Ministry

In 1948 when the state of Israel was established there were only 3 or 4 Messianic families in the entire country. The total number of believers in 1948 was 23.

Today there are over 300 congregations in Israel — that's more Messianic congregations than Conservative and Reform synagogues combined! A conservative estimate of the number of Messianic Jews in Israel is 30,000.
This is the magnitude of what God is doing in Israel!
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The Israeli Messianic Feature of the Week
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Daughters of Zion Conference for Israelis We are expecting over 250 women to attend - up from 145 last year! We are so excited at what the Lord is going to do as He ministers to his beloved as they are coming from all across the land of Israel for this event especially for them.

We want to make sure that everyone is included in the event, so we are subsidizing the entire conference and would sure appreciate your help! The guests will receive all meals, lodging, and transportation. This is no small cost, and the whole conference is going to cost us $50,000.

We would be so blessed for your support both financial and spiritual for what is going on in the body of Messiah in Israel. We know that God will bless you as you bless others. Donations


Thank you!
Chaya Mizrachi and Norma Sarvis
Conference Organizers

---

Donna Diorio 
donna@israelprayer.com or donna@d10r10.com
 
Please note change in PayPal donations:  
paypal.me/DonnaDiorio
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. 

The Temple is Being Built!!

By Moshe Morrison, Tents of Mercy Congregation in Kiryat Yam, Israel

2007: Yes, it’s true. The Temple of God is under construction even as you read this article. Prophecy regarding this is being fulfilled every moment that passes by. However, I’m not speaking of the third Jewish temple made of mortar and stone that some believe will soon be rebuilt upon Mt. Zion in Jerusalem. The truth of the matter is that that temple may or may not be rebuilt before Yeshua returns to Jerusalem. Though there are some who insist that it must be, there are ample numbers of God-fearing, Spirit-filled, students of the Scriptures holding to widely different views of the end-times. This should give us pause if we think that “our” position is the only option. To assume that one has figured out how it’s all going to play out in the end hinders the ability to see and participate in what the Spirit of God wants to do. Mature faith recognizes the differences between the speculations of eschatology and the fundamental principles regarding the nature and work of the Messiah which are clearly stated in the Bible.

The temple construction of which I speak belongs to the second category and is the one described in 1 Peter 2: 4-6, “And coming to Him as to a living Stone, rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God, you also as living stones are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Messiah Yeshua. For this is contained in Scripture: ‘Behold I lay in Zion a choice Stone, a precious Cornerstone, and he who believes in Him shall not be disappointed.’” If the majority of the body of believers would get as excited about that temple being built as some do about the physical one, we would see a greater manifestation and advancement of the purposes of God on the earth in these days.

There are Christians who are caught up in expecting a physical temple to be built so that the anti-Christ can show up there and then they can be caught up in the “rapture” while the Jewish people get stuck here with a useless temple and a great tribulation. The tragedy in this is that some of them are willing to give thousands of dollars to fringe Orthodox Jewish groups who are making all kinds of preparations to reestablish the priesthood, sacrificial system and rebuild the temple. (Incidentally, it is by no means a majority of religious Jews who are actively working to build that temple. Though the traditional liturgy contains unequivocal prayer for the restoration of the temple and its services, most observant Jews are content to pray for it and leave it in God’s hands. Opinions on how it might come about are as widely varied in the Jewish community as they are in the Christian community.)

The great irony is that many of those Orthodox Jews who are the most involved in the move to rebuild the temple despise us Messianic Jews. One very prominent leader in this physical temple restoration movement told a Messianic Jewish friend of mine how much he hates us and that we are traitors and worse than Nazis because our faith in Yeshua. However, this should come as no surprise since Peter points out that the very foundation upon which we are being built was rejected by the leaders of our people. “The stone which the builders rejected, this became the very cornerstone,.” and “a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” (1 Peter 2:7,8 quoting from Psalm 118:22 and Isaiah 8:14) Accordingly, it is especially the temple that is made up of Messianic Jewish living stones in the land of Israel that is far more significant in the eyes of God than the temple made of stone and mortar which our unbelieving brethren wish to rebuild. One of the most important signs of the end times is not a physical building project, but a growing Messianic Jewish presence in the land of Israel which has not been seen for nearly two millenia. This is what believers ought to be watching for and praying for and supporting with their resources.

The first and second temples in Jerusalem served their purposes in providing a place for Israel to receive atonement and also as a place for intercession on behalf of the nations. However, Yeshua changed that sacrificial system by the sacrifice of Himself nearly 2000 years ago. If a third temple now only serves as a platform for the anti-Christ to unveil his program, I would think that true believers would have a greater stake in the true Messiah unveiling His program in the spiritual temple that He is building. The salvation of Israel is near and dear to the heart of God. It should also be near and dear to the hearts of his followers. The fact that there are all sorts of temple preparations being made by various groups should not unduly occupy the hearts and minds of followers of Yeshua. Red heifers, priestly garments, and setting a symbolic cornerstone mean nothing compared to the setting into the walls of living stones more Jewish believers in Messiah Yeshua. As the living temple of believers grows within the household of Israel it will have a greater impact on outreach to the rest of the nations of the world than anything we have seen since the first century (Romans 11:15).

One brother in the United States who has been teaching prophecy for many years told me that people tend to call him when they hear rumors about what is happening in Israel. They figure that he can confirm whether or not what they’ve heard is true and whether it is a sign of the imminent return of Yeshua. He said that some one called him because they heard that all the stones for the temple had been cut and numbered and each one was hidden in a different K-Mart department store all across America, waiting for the right time when they would be rapidly brought out and shipped to Jerusalem and quickly assembled. He graciously informed the caller that his information was incorrect. Though somewhat humorous, it is sadly just one of many wild stories that find wide and willing circulation because of a wrong emphasis in large segments of the body of Messiah.

If it is the will of the Lord that the physical temple of God be built in Jerusalem to facilitate the outworking of His plans in the last days, it shall be done. In fact, there is no other way that it could possibly be accomplished. The Islamic authorities that control the temple mount as well as Muslim leaders around the world have clearly stated that any action that would compromise the Islamic presence and authority there would result in a major war. Even if the Dome of the Rock mosque collapsed due to an earthquake, Israel would be blamed for it. In spite of all that, if God wants it, it would be built. However, we’ll only know for sure once it has happened. However, there is no question about the living temple. It is happening now!

Make no mistake by thinking that because it is a “spiritual” house it is less tangible than one made of stone. For the stones in the temple being built here are living, flesh and blood Jews dwelling in very real communities in the same Land that God gave to our forefathers and to us. As we move forward in the year 2007, let us pray that the world will be able to see a manifestation of the presence of God in this temple like they have never seen before. Not only with Jewish stones in Israel, but also among the nations. It is God’s desire now for the true holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices in this temple built by the Spirit on the cornerstone of Messiah Yeshua. ?

At the time of this writing Moshe Morrison was the Associate Leader in Ohalei Rachamim, or Tents of Mercy congregation in Kiryat Yam. Now he is a beloved elder and a Tikkun Ministries associate. http://www.tents-of-mercy.org/

Arrows from Zion 12/19/2018

Priority Prayer Focus

Voice of Judah's Israel Pochtar posted this early morning photo taken on Yafo Street in Jerusalem. Later in the day this road will be filled with all sorts of Israelis who need the Lord. They are the ones God is calling to become Living Stones in His Temple in Israel. Do we have a heart for the real spiritual work God is doing in Israel, or just for a 3rd stone temple?

Continuing the theme last week about Temple Fascinated Believers, this article I wrote fourteen years ago:

Temple Mount Faithful
or temple mount Faithful?

August 2004: Recently I stood by listening as someone asked an Israeli Messianic leader about the Temple Mount Faithful. It was obvious that the person had expected an approving response to that group's recent latest attempt to place the cornerstone of the third temple in Jerusalem. The questioner was truly surprised when the Messianic rabbi responded with immediate displeasure upon hearing that name, "I usually try not to comment on Israel's religious groups, but that group!"

The Israeli leader went on to explain how the Temple Mount Faithful-a religious group that enjoys wide support among Christians — and even some Messianic Jews living outside of Israel — continually place their religious zealotry to rebuild a physical third temple above all else, including the national security of Israel and all her citizens.

To tell you the truth I couldn't tell you exactly what the rabbi responded to this man's question after that because I was too busy reeling that such a question would asked by someone who serves in a Messianic congregation.

How is it that in all our efforts to present an authentic Messianic Judaism and to reconnect Christians through teaching to the Judaic roots of their faith, that we are failing to educate on such critical subjects as this? At this late hour is it still something we consider too hot to handle? Too controversial to rock the boat of Christian support of Israel?

I doubt that there are many Messianic Jewish believers in Israel cheering on the efforts of groups like the Temple Mount Faithful as many Christians are.  No one wants to dissuade Christian support of Israel, but Christian support of Israel should be extended to the body of Messiah, not to the unbelieving religious groups who persecute them! Our support shouldn't be extended to the religious zealots who threaten Israel's very national security, therefore every citizen in the Land. This ignorance is not bliss, it is dangerous.

It is amazing that most Christians who support these types of religious groups in Israel are clueless of the danger they pose to the nation and to the true household of faith in Israel. What is really amazing is that there is so little done to educate Christians in these matters.

Why is that? From the perspective of the body in Israel, I understand they are bearing the burden upon themselves in order not to dissuade Christian support of Israel and likely, in order not to bring an avalanche of backlash persecution for being the ones to blow the whistle on this. And why should they be forced to be the ones to whistle blow? Are they in this alone, or are we in it with them?

It may not be the time to press into the Church being able to discern between the builders of the spiritual temple of God and the natural temple of religious Judaism. I don't really believe that, but so many keep silent, I say this so as not to exclude the possibility that there is a timing that I'm just not being sensitive enough to.

So much of Christianity that recognizes the need of the Church to support Israel is focused on the rebuilding of a physical temple. They see it as the necessity of prophetic fulfillment for Christ to return in His Second Coming. Too bad they don't understand that it is a spiritual temple that Jesus is currently building by His body in the land of Israel.

His ministering body in Israel could use Christian support of their efforts.  Only Israeli citizens are legally allowed to evangelize.  So what are your Israel-support dollars being channeled toward?Some projected temple made by human hands is not what God is focusing on. So in many ways the uneducated support of Christians towards Israel is downright counterproductive.

At what point will the misplacement of Christian support of Israel outweigh the overall benefits of the spiritual building of His kingdom? Why must the body of Messiah in Israel bear this burden alone through the lack of teaching going on about such matters? Whose place is it to begin the process of educating the Church-teaching those who will listen? Can we stand the heat for the sake of our brothers and sisters who have been going this alone?

Instead of Christians aligning themselves with God's focus and throwing their considerable Israel-oriented resources toward the building of His spiritual temple in Israel, those resources are being diverted from the body to the persecutors of the body. That is beyond sad—it really is a disgrace for so few to understand these things at this hour and instead to be thrilled by every minute detail of the preparations for a flesh-built third temple.

The fleshly response is always to build the natural instead of the spiritual. Take Peter's reaction to the appearance of Moses and Elijah with Yeshua as He was transformed on the mount. Yeshua was "appearing in glory" before the eyes of Peter, James and John, who were "heavy with sleep" (Luke 9:32). "Heavy with sleep" or spiritual slumber is exactly where much of the Church is today regarding the temple that Jesus is building and the reality of His body—the spiritual temple of Messiah in Israel.

Matthew 17:4 Peter said to Yeshua, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

At the sight of the glory of God upon Yeshua, a spiritually drowsy Peter was nevertheless ready to spring into action to build three tabernacles with his own hands. God was preparing instead to build a new and living Temple through His Son. He interrupted Peter's nervous chatter saying, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!"

Those who are listening to the Son know that God never has been that interested in any temple that man could build for Him. Take God's response to David when he expressed his desire to build the first temple. Yes, Nathan the prophet said, "Do all that is in your mind, for the Lord is with you," but what did God say?

2 Samuel 7:4-7 "But in the same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, "Go and say to My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD, "Are you the one who should build Me a house to dwell in? For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt, even to this day; but I have been moving about in a tent, even in a tabernacle. Wherever I have gone with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, which I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, 'Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?''

God's promise to David was about a spiritual house, not a house of wood and stone. He would allow the building of a physical, natural temple because it would serve His ultimate purposes but this is not what God was most interested in building. It wasn't then and it isn't now.

2 Samuel 7:11-13 "The LORD also declares to you that the LORD will make a house for you. When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish His kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of His kingdom forever."

Thanks, David, but My house is a spiritual house and it will take My Son to build that house. That is the spiritual house, the spiritual tabernacle that is "not made with hands."

1 Peter 2:4-6 "And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Messiah Yeshua. For this is contained in Scripture: 'Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed."

There is no cornerstone that the Temple Mount Faithful can ever lay that should command more attention from the world wide body of Christ than the house that He is in the progress of completing for Himself in Israel.  The Cornerstone has been laid already by the real temple mount Faithful, our Father.

Today it is the living stones of the spiritual house in Israel that should command our attention because His attention is fervently focused on them, not red heifers and not some block of stone the radical rabbis try periodically to drag up for placement at the Dome of the Rock.

If your understanding as a Christian is that the third temple must be built before Jesus returns, then it is time to recognize that it is a living temple that God wants built made up of Israeli Jews and Arabs.  The third temple referred to in prophetic scripture is a spiritual temple; it is Jesus' body in the land of Israel. Everything else we've been talking about here pales in comparison to them.

If you as a Christian have been following the developments of the wrong temple builders in Israel, please take the challenge to acquaint yourself with the real temple builders who are the sole focus of this site (ministry).  Jesus will not be glorified by the unbelieving religious groups of Israel, but He is being glorified everyday through the lives of His body in Israel.  We are called first to support them.

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

Maoz Ministries, Ari & Shira Sorko-Ram talk about the nightmare scenarios that the IDF is tackling in Operation Northern Shield where Hezballah terrorist tunnels into Israel are being found & destroyed — some large enough to move tanks and troops through in a surprise attack on Israel! They write, " It seems that, once again, God has given us the upper hand on plans to destroy our nation piece by piece." Continue to pray for God's miraculous grace extended to Israel  - both protectively & in spiritual salvation.

Maoz also asks prayers for rain, speaks of its investment in the next generation of Israeli believers and their IstandwithIsrael humanitarian fund. Great time to please consider giving a special year-end gift

KehilaNews.com  could also use your Year End Giving consideration. Here are a few items of interest from thier most recent issues: Speaking up for the fatherless - Showing God's love to orphans by FIRM Staff | “Tzabarim” for Yeshua | by Alec Goldberg, Israel Director at the Caspari Center | Israeli artists explore hope, light, transition in upcoming Jerusalem exhibit | by Cliff Keller | The Jerusalem House of Quality will host an art exhibition featuring the work of 10 artists, nine of whom are Messianic believers, and are all immigrants who – after transitioning from their lives in other cultures – have integrated into Israeli society and the creative life here.

Dov Bikas of the Aviv rehab ministry and the Negev evangelism & church planting ministry, writes about their fruitful, yet challenging year. Challenging primarily because of his wife's chronic. acute back pain condition which is greatly taxing. See the prayer request in Urgent Healing Prayers. Fruitful in that they have been able to meet many needs among the Tel Aviv street addicts. 12,000 meals served & many addicts going into faith-based rehab. Also on the streets of Beer Sheva. Please read more about this ministry to the lowest of society, the ones so many have completely given up on: Read more by connecting directly with the ministry, or by subscribing to the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries

Avner Boskey of David's Tent and Final Frontier Ministries is out with two new timely articles: We wish you a Jewish Christmas! and What happens when a nation lifts the Jerusalem stone

From Asher Intrater's Revive Israel, and article by Tal Haroni Calling Israel Back | Cody Archer sits with Gil Afriat of Tiferet Yeshua in this video God is Moving in Tel Aviv | Another video featuring a teaching by Asher Your Daughters Will Prophesy | The Nesher Project is about Raising up the next generation of leaders in Israel through discipleship and training within Israeli communities | And Asher's enlightening book of Yeshua throughout the Hebrew scriptures Who Ate Lunch With Abraham

Israel Pochtar (Voice of Judah ministries & Beit Hallel congregation in Ashdod) writes to give us an update on the Arab - Jewish Young Leaders Conference last week. Watch Marwan and Salim, Arab pastors at the meeting sending a special greeting. Also Pochtar asks for our help in the Christmas outreach explaining what they can do With a gift as little as $25 [Read more inside the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries or by connecting directly with the ministry.] Plus praise reports from their Hanukkah Outreach and the Youth Worship conference they attended in Haifa.

Tikkun Global's Israel's Restoration magazine covers many of their leaders in israel, like Avi Tekle at Tents of Mercy in a tribute A Legacy of Priestly Unity to Marc Chopinsky, who was the long time worship leader at the congregation | Eitan Shishkoff, heading the Tikkun congregations of northern Israel, also has a tribute to his long time friend and ministry associate, Marc Chopinsky Reflections on the Legacy of Marc Chopinsky (1950-2018) | Also featuring a book that had profound impact on my views Due Process by Daniel C Juster | Lastly a report on Revive Israel supported the recent Africa-Israeli Restitution Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia by Joni Koski called Arise Africa!

For Yeshua Israel Ministries, Shani writes about growing up in Israel worshipping alongside the occasional Arab believer. Now she and Kobi have set themselves to really advance the music of Christian Arab worshippers and invite us to watch 3 brothers Watch the Sahknini's play "O Holy Night" in Arabic with an authentic Middle Eastern flare. The song was recorded in our Jerusalem ministry and the video was filmed in their home in Nazareth. The results are beautiful! You can be a part of touching lives in Israel, both Jews and Arabs through important projects like this! Give now

 Richard and Carolyn Hyde of Heart of God Ministries have a glowing report of their ministry time in Germany at 10 high school classrooms. "We simply share the Gospel through the message of Passover and explain how the Lamb of G-d, Yeshua, came to remove our sin which separates us from G-d.  When we gave the students an opportunity to repent and ask forgiveness for their sins, even the teacher raised her hand! . . . So we did something different and taught them how to check-in via LK10 Ministry.  We asked them what Solomon requested from G-d."  They also share about the upcoming release of a new outreach video "The Great Jewish Leader" Read more by connecting directly with the ministry, or by subscribing to the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries

Howard & Randi Bass are preparing for their annual celebration of the birth of Yeshua and visit to Bethlehem to worship and celebrate with our brothers and sisters there at a church which does not particularly like Israel.  We have been doing so since 2003 during the second intifada.  But we are there as faces and names to them, and they are faces and names to us:  reminders that our Father has redeemed children there and here.  For the sake of the testimony of who Jesus/Yeshua is we go:  we must show that Jesus is our peace and reconciliation, even when times are tense and difficult. For this and other things going on in the Yeshua's Inheritance congregation, see more inside the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries or by connecting directly with the ministry.

Ron Cantor has a  "Middle East Update" of new stories which you can get by subscribing to his mailing list and in this latest issue he shares one item on Violence begets violence: Deadly Palestinian terror spree continues after baby dies | Since the drive-by shooting terror attack last week that left a baby dead and several people wounded including the baby’s parents, two Israeli soldiers were killed in another shooting attack during a violent spree that has left Israelis on edge. Read more in the Weekly Summary

Marianna Gol whose Negev ministry Afikim BaNegev  is reaching out to Israelis - the literal & spiritual "widows and orphans" - who are in some of the worst situations in life with no one to turn to.  She writes about a 16 yr old with a tragic family history they are ministering to, with prayer requests for their ability to reach him. It is a horrid crime of sexual abuse of his sister, and perhaps him too. Read more inside the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries or by connecting directly with the ministry AND PRAY this young man will be rescued by the LORD.

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

Olga Bikas’s health condition that seems to have become chronic, with no hope from the doctors for any improvement in the future. This, no doubt, puts an additional emotional and physical burden on our family. Please pray for her acute back pain. | CONTINUED URGENT PRAYER FOR JACOB DAMKANI still in a critical condition | 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.| Ruth Nessim has several health issues, read in her update this week: Most critical EYES.

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Donna Diorio  donna@israelprayer.com or donna@d10r10.com
 
Please pray about making a financial gift donation.  Make donations payable to the order of Donna Diorio and mail to: P O Box 111302 Carrollton, Texas 75006  Or via PayPal, Send to:  donna@israelprayer.com or https://www.paypal.me/DonnaDiorio
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