Shutting the Mouths of Lions
As you know, Israel
has been taking rocket fire from Gaza terror group Islamic Jihad after the IDF
initiated a preemptive strike to kill their #1 terror head in Gaza, and #2 head
in Damascus. The IDF has confirmed success in the Gaza objective. But Islamic Jihad
responded with a barrage of rockets which it has been stockpiling for all out
war with Israel. WHAT YOU ARE NOT HEARING IN INTERNATIONAL NEWS REPORTS is the
reason Israel struck the two terrorist leaders: it was because of intel on an
imminent attack from Islamic Jihad. You can know this is the truth because in
the midst of political chaos in choosing the leadership of the next Israeli
government, the opposing political groups were briefed of the intel and are
standing behind the action taken by Netanyahu's government via the preemptive
strike. If the attacks were just political, you wouldn't see solidarity on the
part of competitive political leaders. This is a major point that international
news people are missing, so it is a great point to challenge their telling of
the events. Even Fox News is telling the story from deep inside the Gaza
perspective...as usual. Use your voice like Isaiah 54:17 to silence the mouths
of lions, and use your voice in the public square too, to defend Israel's right
to defend herself. See many reports from Israeli ministries in the beginning
below.
Jerusalem Institute of Justice:
The Top 5 Issues Christian Minorities are Facing in Israel
The Top 5 Issues Christian Minorities are Facing in Israel
The Jerusalem Institute of Justice (JIJ)
passionately protects the freedoms of minorities who have been denied their
guaranteed rights. We support those who have experienced discrimination and
help them establish their lives as inhabitants/citizens of Israel. http://www.jij.org contactus@jij.org.il
Even after thousands of cases and 23 Supreme
Court wins, we have more cases of discrimination to fight. A single court case
can cost anywhere from $5,000 in an appeal court to $40,000 in a Supreme Court
case, so many minorities don’t have the funds to have their day in court.
That’s why JIJ offers free legal aid to these vulnerable populations.
You can help cases
similar to those described here by donating to JIJ so that we can continue to
offer free legal aid to the people that need it most; ensuring their freedom
and reuniting their families.
Family
Reunification | Uniting and keeping families together has been
one of the biggest issues facing minorities in Israel that don’t fit under the
definition of rabbinical Judaism. This includes Ethiopian families that
immigrated to Israel and have been split apart by bureaucracy, Russian
individuals who immigrated without their parents who are now elderly and alone,
and many families whose documentation was lost during WWII and its aftermath.
1
My name is L, and I immigrated alone to Israel from Russia when I was
17, and have built a good life here. My father was Jewish but passed away 15
years ago. Now, at age 83, my mom, who is a Christian, is elderly and in great
need of care. She is alone and scared. My mom was denied entry into Israel. I
need help to reunite my family.
2
When my two brothers and I left Ethiopia to follow our hearts to live in
Israel, the land of our heritage, we never thought our father would not be able
to join us because he is Christian and only our mother’s side of the family is
Jewish. This is unjust, especially as he was the one that raised us with a love
for the Jewish people and the promised land.
Immigration
or Marital Status | Sometimes receiving immigration status in
Israel can be a burden to minorities. In marital situations where a bride or
groom has requested immigration rights for their significant other only to be
denied or stalled by the Ministry of Interior (MOI) legal assistance is
essential. It is particularly important for those with a non-Jewish background.
1 K
and D married 3 years ago. The couple have been separated all that time due to
discrimination from the Israeli Immigration Authorities. D is an Israeli
citizen but K is a Christian and is being denied entry into Israel because of
her faith. What would you do if the love of your life couldn’t join you in your
country of residence?
2
We are a newly married couple and have just had a child. I’m a father
and a husband. I’m delighted to have a new son enter our family. But I am
distraught that my wife is not being given her citizenship rights and the
paternity of our son is being questioned. This is all due to our faith. We are
experiencing tribulation, but will persevere with His help.
Tax
Exemptions | In 2012 in Israel, only synagogues had
property tax exemption. JIJ saw this as discriminatory and unjust. We took the
government of Israel to court on behalf of Christian congregations. The Supreme
Court of Israel recognized the validity of our petition and recommended that
the government change the law or they would lose the suit. The Israeli
parliament opted to change the law which resulted in full property tax
exemption for all houses of worship, thus saving millions of shekels per year
for the community allowing them to accomplish God’s work and mission.
1
Even though JIJ won the Supreme Court case concerning this issue and the
law states that all houses of prayer are exempt from property tax, the
municipalities still only apply it to synagogues. Christian congregations have
to fight in court to receive their rights under the law. This amounts to
thousands of dollars being paid for legal help on top of the expense of the
taxes. A congregation in the south of Israel had to close their doors due to
being overwhelmed by the amount of taxes.
2
In an interview with a congregational leader in the Galilee we were
told: “We have major issues with the local municipalities who have given us
problems regarding our building tax. The local municipalities are governed,
staffed and influenced by the Jewish Orthodox community. We have had problems
with the local rabbi who is outspokenly against me and my congregation.”
Work
Discrimination | Under Israeli law, discrimination based on an
individual’s faith is illegal. Despite this, however, we see cases of
employment termination once a person’s Christian faith becomes known.
1 A
is a pediatric intensive care nurse at a major hospital. She didn’t hide her
faith, but didn’t advertise it either.
Her Christian faith became known in her department and some of her colleagues
were lobbying to get her fired. This is completely illegal.
2
Highly qualified Christian citizens are denied employment due to their
faith.
Religious,
Professional, or Personal Discrimination |
Religious minorities also face adverse situations in their personal,
professional, and religious lives in Israel. This takes many forms such as
threats of bodily harm, property damage, public slander, interruption of
gatherings, etc.
1 A
music festival at a congregation in Jerusalem was interrupted by screaming
protesters who blocked the entrance, broke property, bit people, kicked, spit,
used loud whistles and pepper spray, and shouted insults. Women and children
were intentionally rammed into walls and dead frogs were thrown at people,
which caused trauma to the children.
2
Pastors and congregants throughout the country have had their tires
slashed and the walls of their buildings covered with graffiti.
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Because of the breaking news of intense rocket fire from Gaza, the first
several ministry reports are the most recent received to inform you on things
you aren't hearing on international news reports. You will see also God's grace
with several near hits experienced by our Israeli fellow believers.
Beginning with Israel Pochtar's urgent prayer alert written between siren
alerts that force them to run for shelter. The ministry is located in Ashdod,
so therefore one of the close rocket targets. Israel sends a video shot from
the associate Pastor's apartment onto the parking lot " where a rocket
landed right in front of our church van... and failed to explode! That’s
God’s miraculous protection in action!" They ask prayers as the situation
may last for days and even weeks. " Pray for the Lord to protect His
Land, for his hand over our government
to lead and resolve this surging escalation with wisdom."
The body of Messiah is always about the Father's business in Israel, no
matter what else is happening: So Israel Pochtar also sends this video
overview about all they have been doing in the ministry and a bit more
about the current rocket barrage.
Now, Michael (Mikael) and Dina Beener are in S'derot - the closest city
to Gaza and the most hard hit by rockets whizzing into them and over them. The poor
in S'derot suffer long term PTSD which the Beener's have dedicated themselves
to minister to. Right now, there is no getting out of bomb shelters and
everything is shut down. The Army has announced a state of emergency within a
80 kilometer (nearly 50-miles) radius of Gaza. The Beeners also send videos of
rocket hits on their town yesterday: Video on Twitter,
more Video on
Twitter and YouTube.
They also ask prayers for the people of Gaza saying, "We believe
that God has an answer for Gaza!" it would entail an economic answer and
they would be engaged in ordinary civic work in order to feed their families
through labor, and not through terrorist plans. And also, so that the Gaza
government changes to one that will take care of the well-being of the people
of its people, above all. And also for believers born again who live in Fear
and are subject to constant persecution by Hamas. We proclaim Gaza for Jesus as
saved and open to freedom of worship and acceptance of the ministers of God's
Word. And the spirit of violence broken in this place, in the Yeshua's name!"
Ron Cantor, although in the US, is following the news closely and makes
an important point about the terrorist the IDF assassinated, quote the IDF
Chief of Staff Lt General: “He is the man who acted in every way to sabotage
attempts for calm with Hamas. He was a live ticking bomb, and even now he
worked and planned attacks. He was responsible for the majority of attacks that
took place over past year. We are preparing for escalation from the ground, air
and sea.”
Ron also notes, " Last week, we were filming in the Gaza border town of S’derot. We heard testimony after testimony of young mothers explaining what it was like to run to shelter with their young children. S’derot-based Messianic Pastor Mikael Beaner had to rush home from a conference to S’derot. One of the rockets hit a building next to theirs. I was with Pastor Mikael last week near the Gaza border. Sadly, our government doesn’t seem to take Hamas and Islamic Jihad seriously until the rockets start falling in Tel Aviv. And that is what happened."
As you read
this news, it is not merely informational, but is packed with cues on how to
pray! Even as I close in on wrapping up this issue, developments are unfolding
with the IDF being deployed to protect the towns near Gaza as fears of physical
breaches rise.
In Sept, Ron notes that Messiah's Mandate closed with a $20,000 deficit.
If you can send a special
gift today, it would help them continue to bless Israeli ministries.
Tony and Orna Sperandeo are in Kfar Saba in central Israel at the
Hamaayan congregation. They send prayer requests: For the people of Israel and
Gaza to be shielded from the rockets | Our soldiers to be safe,wise, strong and
courageous | The military and government to make wise decisions | Intercessors
to rise up and pray for God's perfect plan | The world to hear and understand
the truth of our current events and not a skewed account.
In regular ministry reports, Aliyah Return Center talks about how hard it
is to be a new immigrant in Israel: " ONE-THIRD of all suicides in Israel
are committed by new immigrants, and many Jewish new immigrants leave Israel as
a result of hardships, depression, and loneliness. According to the Israeli
Department of Statistics ONE out of every THREE new immigrants live in poverty
TODAY." That is the reason ARC exists: to HELP. You can help them too.
Explore new Aliyah Return Center website
As Tikkun In't CEO, Ron Cantor puts out a
monthly focus on one of the Tikkun congregations or ministries to
highlight a need. This time it is the Ahavat Yeshua congregation in Jerusalem
that has an opportunity to expand with an office/multi-use room at their
congregational facility. It will only take $15,000 to do all the renovations
required to bring it up to the multi-purposes the envision using the space for.
To respond to this need: donation to Tikkun.
Ron writes, "For 1,900 years—since the days of Peter and John healing a
lame beggar—the Gospel grew dormant in Jerusalem. We live in days of
restoration! God has restored Jerusalem as a city, and now he is restoring the
power of the Gospel in it! Thank you for your support!"
Pastor Najeeb & Elizabeth Atteih at the Immanuel Church in Haifa send
a long ministry letter of their activivites full of testimonies and updates on
the various outreaches they also run, including the Christian Soldier's Center
and their work with Refugees in Jordan. They are continuing to raise funds for
the roof project which will multiply their useable space in the Soldier's
Center which has been making a great reputation for itself among the military
leadership. Their work with Christian refugees in Jordan is both heartbreaking
and also a blessing. They write, "Many are proud that they come from a
Christian heritage, but are not born again. They do not have a personal
relationship with Jesus and are therefore missing out on the Gospel! Najeeb
emphasized the importance of having faith in Jesus and making him the
foundation of our faith and our life." The Gospel is being preached even
to those in some tragic and desperate circumstances. The same is true of
Christians in Armenia, they write, and a door appears to be opening to them to
minister there also. Can you help the Atteih's to continue to spread the word
among the many opportunities they have to share Jesus?
From Aleksey Raikhstadt, who now leads Beit Immanuel in Jaffa, writes
about new beginnings as they celebrated the Jewish New Year with a heartfelt
farewell to former Beit Immanuel leaders David and Michaella Lazarus. They held
a honoring service in the congregation with " the Lazarus family, their
children and grandchildren and David's brother Ken, who has just recently come
to faith in Messiah Yeshua." (It is always wonderful to hear of family
members of the Israeli ministry leaders coming to faith! ) In one Spirit, we
all bowed together in prayer for them and for their future life and ministry.
As servants of God we always continue to serve Him. It does not matter
where we are, as long as our hearts seek to serve the Lord. Please pray with us
for the Lazarus family, as well as for the Beit Immanuel Congregation.
Daniel Juster sends an update of his extremely busy schedule in the USA
starting this week - and the need for donations to cover expenses that are not
covered by Tikkun America or by honoraria. He is doing a several key meetings: at
the International Coalition of Apostolic Leaders; leaders of a Pentecostal
denomination in Dallas who have invited me to share our vision and theology
with them; meetings with the new Tikkun Intl staff in Dallas; and with the
leaders of The King’s University in Dallas.
Ben Juster will also be traveling to the US for an important conference of Pentecostal leaders in the Atlanta area, and for the Messianic Leadership conference hosted by Jonathan Bernis. These are all important activities to make greater connections with the international believers who can come alongside the ministries and outreaches "until all Israel is saved." Please consider donating to Restoration from Israel
From Intercessors for Israel in Jerusalem, Chuch Cohen sends this last Friday
Prayer Points 11/8/2019
"Security: For years the Lord has led us to pray into Micah 4:11-13. As we intercede for Israel's security situation and the reality of it becoming more dangerous weekly, let's keep in mind that our God reigns (Psa. 99:1; 103:19), and that He is also using Israel as bait in His trap to deal with the pride of the nations. Yet those of us who live in Israel are part of His bait – and we need your prayers."
"Security: For years the Lord has led us to pray into Micah 4:11-13. As we intercede for Israel's security situation and the reality of it becoming more dangerous weekly, let's keep in mind that our God reigns (Psa. 99:1; 103:19), and that He is also using Israel as bait in His trap to deal with the pride of the nations. Yet those of us who live in Israel are part of His bait – and we need your prayers."
In the Ein Kerem neighborhood of Jerusalem, Rachel and Gilad Netanel
share their home with multitudes of guests continually who come for great
fellowship, meals and the testimony of Yeshua. I love the photos they sent over
the holiday of the warm and inviting space that is their home which is built in
a cave and quite a tourist draw. I have tried to imagine it many times but was
so delighted to finally see many interior shots and the beautiful view they
have. Even with all the troubles they have with the Muslim Waqf, this home is
clearly a blessing from the LORD to minister to Israelis seeking the Answer to their
lives.
Rachel and Gilad continue to minister there and in Zukim. One couple they shared with in 3 hour Bible study, the husband became got quite upset after the subject of homosexuality being a sin came up. They have a daughter who is a lesbian ("and although I have known her for several years, we have never discussed this"). The husband said that "this is not sin because in the Bible it is only written about homosexuality and not about lesbians. I tried to calm him....He was so angry that I thought we would be thrown out of their house. The Gospel that I share is about love and I need to be a friend, but I thought it was important to share the truth at this time. Please pray that this will not become a stumbling block for their salvation.
This is one of the most difficult subjects to deal with because society has been pushing acceptance of the sin of homosexuality to the point of intolerance of any who hold God's view that it is sin. What could be harder for a parent who wants to keep open to their children living in this sin? Another one of the difficult issues we must find God's balance and will to help others - those living in the sin and the family who love them.
Finally I am not going in depth into this because I don't want to set off
a firestorm of opposition against the great work that Yariv Goldman of Hands of
Mercy has initiated in Jerusalem. It is a safe haven for youth who have left
the faith of Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox, extremely closed, isolationist
societies. Forty percent of Israelis coming out of that religious community framework
have suicidal tendencies. They are rejected by their families and communities
and are lacking in the most basic of life skills. Here is an article that
highlights the issues ex-Orthodox
couple from the Neturei Karta sect
But Yariv has started a refuge to help VIDEO
introduction to the Adullam Outreach Center where you might be able
to VOLUNTEER
and are certainly welcome to participate via prayer and
support groups. Please pray for this work in the heart of the Old
City of Jerusalem... the opposition has already flared up but this is a work of
the LORD. (There is a private prayer
group on Facebook.)
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
Ruth Nessim Critical prayer need
she is losing sight! Prayers for a miracle for Ruth.| Continue to pray for Jacob Damkani | 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. |
Rania Sayegh asks for prayer of
restoration of strength, energy, and complete healing. | Ronit Bender says my heart valve is still leaking but my
lungs are fine. I totally have peace about my health, although it is far from
great. I still appreciate prayer, as I need it. I am very grateful they
let me travel in October and November both to Australia and Holland. Please
continue to pray for Ronit | Shlomy
Abramov of Awake Israel, because of a condition where blood does not flow
to his legs as it should, was advised by a specialist in case of injuries, he
could lose his leg because of the blood flow issues. Please pray.
Here's My 2¢ | What is the
Restorationist View?
Over the past couple of years I have asked for prayers
here a few times regarding a controversy in Israeli Ministry leadership
regarding the teachings of ministries which I regard as friends and to be
exceptional ministries in every way. I have said very little about what has
been going on, mostly to respect their wishes, because they have desired to
keep the unity of the faith and brotherhood among all the ministries of Israel.
This is admirable, and has been walked out with great integrity.
A the end of next week there will be another meeting of Israeli ministry leaders to discuss whether the Israeli body - as a whole - accepts the Restorationist theology of Tikkun. or takes a more fundamentalist stance. It is one of many specific issues that have been taken against the Tikkun ministries, including whether or not there are apostles, for instance.
Please join me in praying for all the ministry leaders in Israel and in particular over this upcoming planned discussion. Pray that God will preside and no man, and His wisdom will prevail in the body of Messiah in Israel.
For those of you who do not know what the "Restorationist" view is, let me assure you: It is not Dominion theology. In fact, it is what Daniel Juster was teaching the very first time I ever saw him teach back in 1992 or 93 when he taught a Messianic View of Church History at a national UMJC conference in Dallas. The series became the basis of a book, One People, Many Tribes in 1999 and led to the 2009 continuation of the theme in his book, That they May Be One describing how the various restoration movements in church history have connected to their Jewish roots and Israel to lay the groundwork for what is happening today.
There is nothing new or weird about the Restorationist view taught by Juster, Asher Intrater or any of the other Tikkun ministries or charismatic ministries in Israel. Charismatics and non-Charismatics in the church world have found a way to walk in unity together even without sharing perfect agreement in many details. As St. Augustine put it: "In essentials, Unity. In non-essentials, Liberty. In all things, Charity."
A the end of next week there will be another meeting of Israeli ministry leaders to discuss whether the Israeli body - as a whole - accepts the Restorationist theology of Tikkun. or takes a more fundamentalist stance. It is one of many specific issues that have been taken against the Tikkun ministries, including whether or not there are apostles, for instance.
Please join me in praying for all the ministry leaders in Israel and in particular over this upcoming planned discussion. Pray that God will preside and no man, and His wisdom will prevail in the body of Messiah in Israel.
For those of you who do not know what the "Restorationist" view is, let me assure you: It is not Dominion theology. In fact, it is what Daniel Juster was teaching the very first time I ever saw him teach back in 1992 or 93 when he taught a Messianic View of Church History at a national UMJC conference in Dallas. The series became the basis of a book, One People, Many Tribes in 1999 and led to the 2009 continuation of the theme in his book, That they May Be One describing how the various restoration movements in church history have connected to their Jewish roots and Israel to lay the groundwork for what is happening today.
There is nothing new or weird about the Restorationist view taught by Juster, Asher Intrater or any of the other Tikkun ministries or charismatic ministries in Israel. Charismatics and non-Charismatics in the church world have found a way to walk in unity together even without sharing perfect agreement in many details. As St. Augustine put it: "In essentials, Unity. In non-essentials, Liberty. In all things, Charity."
Please join me in prayer for unity, liberty and charity to
be preserved in the Israeli Messianic leadership. —Donna Diorio
THANK YOU to those who have considered this ministry worthy of financial support.
Donna Diorio donna@israelprayer.com or donna@d10r10.com
Donations appreciated | paypal.me/DonnaDiorio Or look up 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.
