Hidden Heroes
by the Carmel Congregation Leadership Team
These past months, we have been studying the Book of Romans on Shabbat. Paul’s teachings on the doctrines of righteousness and justification by faith, God’s everlasting covenant with His people, Israel, and life in the Spirit are among the deepest in the New Testament. By the time readers arrive at the last chapter, it’s tempting to quickly glance at all the greetings and commendations and move on! But Chapter 16 is full of rich treasures as we discover the “hidden heroes” who are mentioned.
Last Shabbat, Pastor Dani (Sayag) spoke about the men and women like
Phoebe, Andronicus, Epaenetus, Rufus and his mother, who are among the many on
the long list of names that most of us can’t even pronounce! We were inspired
by their stories of faith and how God used each one. Learning more about who
these people were enriched our understanding that God has a purpose for every
life. His kingdom functions best when every member of the body is doing what
her or she has been created to do. They may never be seen publicly, but are
faithful to fulfill their calling each day. They work for the glory of the Lord
and the building of His kingdom.
As we look around our own ministry on Mt. Carmel, we see many of those
“hidden heroes” in our midst who may not necessarily receive a great “reward”
according to this world's standard, but they are storing up treasures in
heaven. Their Father in heaven sees all they are doing and will receive them
one day with much joy! Here are a few of our faithful laborers for the kingdom:
We received this wonderful report from Pastor Vladimir regarding the work
taking place at Hadar HaCarmel during these months of the corona crisis:
"Thanks to the help of 'hidden heroes,' we have been able to double the
number of people who receive food to their door and as a result of visits to
these new families, five people prayed to accept the Lord."
Thank you so much for joining with us in prayer as we seek to fulfill His
mandate for the work here. These days are especially critical ones as Israel
has been experiencing a new surge of corona cases. For the first time, our city
of Haifa has been affected. We had begun congregational gatherings of 50
people, but with the spike in covid cases the government has again imposed
tighter restrictions, and is considering another lockdown. It is not a time for
us to be frustrated or fearful, but to rise up and be strong and vigilant in
prayer! Israel still faces daily threats from our enemies, especially Iran, and
we need a wall of protection around our borders, as well as around our own
community. We are confident in our Lord and His promises!
We deeply appreciate your prayers for many Israelis to come to salvation,
for the security of Israel and for wisdom for our government during these
critical days. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the
Lord and in the power of His might . . .
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Eph.
6:10-13).
Arrows from Zion
Summarized from the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests Israeli Ministries by subscription only donna@israelprayer.com
Summarized from the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests Israeli Ministries by subscription only donna@israelprayer.com
The Carmel congregation is led by Dani & LuAnn Sayag. This week as I
worked on Arrows I have been enjoying a worship
watch led by Karen Davis from June 30th. The congregation are " continuing
to live-stream our Shabbat services and weekly intercessory worship watches via
YouTube and Facebook. Below we have posted the replay of Pastor Dani's full
message on "Hidden Heroes" from July
4, 2020, as well as the replay of a recent Tuesday worship watch. Our upcoming Shabbat service, including
worship led by our Kehilat HaCarmel team and a message from Pastor Peter will
be live-streamed at 11:00 Israel time on Shabbat, July 11, on our live
YouTube channel. You can receive
notifications of new broadcasts by subscribing to our YouTube Channel or by
"following" our Facebook page."
Shani Ferguson of Maoz Ministries sends another wonderful weekly prayer
prayer points, this one beginning with a point, "Concerning Giftings,"
that dovetailed so beautifully with the HaCarmel, "Hidden Heroes"
message. Shani writes, "Each believer is a part of the Body of
Messiah—Yeshua is the head, and we all have our individual roles and callings.
When one body part tries to be something else, well, just Google bad talent
show auditions." Yes and amen. All the hidden heroes have unique gifts from
God that is for our common wealth.
She prays, " Father, we thank You for the beautiful tapestry of
giftings that You have given each of us who are part of Your Body. Your wisdom
is beyond understanding, and the beauty of what You have designed is beyond
measure. We want to be exactly where You intended us to be in this Body. We
know You have chosen the perfect place for us—where we will experience the most
joy and be most effective in Your plan of the ages."
Other prayer points include the Maoz staff in Israel and in the nations,
security concerns regarding Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, also
concerning the string of of explosions in Iran's military and research
facilities recently. These final two prayers lift up the believers but also
petition God to frustrate the purposes of the enemies of Israel.
From Ron Cantor, Messiah's Mandate, in his news-oriented mailing, he
writes on 7/9, "The big news in Israel is the sudden rise in Corona cases. We
were down to seven cases per day. But yesterday we saw the trend continue to rise
to over 1,300 per day.... We recorded today in Hebrew a new video telling
Israelis that while that may be looking for immunity to Corona, they need to
consider immunity from judgment, which can only be found in Yeshua! We will
share it with you as soon as it is edited." Stand with Israel
Also these interesting stories from Cantor: Report: Mossad foiled Iranian attacks on Israeli
embassies | Anti-Israel ‘Day of Rage’ protests sweep across US,
Canada | Israeli man rescues family from drowning, dies in
the process
Intercessors for Israel in Jerusalem, Chuck Cohen Friday
Prayer Points 7/10/2020 begins with
the critical fact "So far Israel's unity government has not acted in unity."
He writes what could go for not only the Israeli government but for the spirit
of division and infighting that is going on seemingly from nation to nation,
family to family including the spiritual family: "Please heal any mistrust
between these men that has been placed there by the enemy's manipulation, or
has been exaggerated by other people (2 Cor. 2:10-11).Clear away all extraneous
noise between government ministers and let them truly hear one another. Bring
the government in line with Your priorities for Israel today."
Other points include Israel's new Corona surge, a "budget must be
hammered out soon otherwise after 100 days of a government, if there is no
budget, new elections kick in automatically," (OY VEH!), prayers about the
schools as education has been halted because of Corona virus; as well as the
key security threats and also the great influx of aliyah. He rightly notes,
that "the ultimate reason for Jewish people to come home" it is when "all
Israel" is saved it happens in their land."
It is not that no Jews can get saved outside of Israel, clearly there are a million plus Jews around the world that have not immigrated to Israel but been saved outside of Israel. BUT when salvation returns to the Jewish people on the level that it could be observed that "all Israel" has been saved, it will come in powerful numbers of Jews who have been gathered by God Himself - using the fishers and the hunters - back to the Land of Promise.
It is not that no Jews can get saved outside of Israel, clearly there are a million plus Jews around the world that have not immigrated to Israel but been saved outside of Israel. BUT when salvation returns to the Jewish people on the level that it could be observed that "all Israel" has been saved, it will come in powerful numbers of Jews who have been gathered by God Himself - using the fishers and the hunters - back to the Land of Promise.
From the ARC, Aliyah Return Center, Chaim Malespin makes the case for
their great work in creating new immigrant housing for so many that are making
the aliyah and going through the absorption process. VIDEO Help us renovate the Aliyah
house. Also episode 3 of What is Aliyah VIDEO.
Chaim
also notes that the IDF is eyeing Beer Sheva, Arad and Dimona
with a view to re-locating over the next few years several IDF bases and
infrastructure out of the crowded central Israel region where they now reside. "The
plan has already seen impressive numbers of career soldiers moving to the
Negev, freeing up valuable real estate in the center of the country for
residential and commercial use, as well as expanding the areas available for
training." This is a promising development plan for the Negev, not only
military and the cities surrounding, but it will also be a good thing for
believers in that region. The region has become a magnet for ultra-Orthodox
populations that are often threatening to the believers in the region. The
influx of IDF career soldiers' families could well represent more protection
over a lopsided influence the ultra-orthodox hold in the region.
From Asher Intrater's Revive Israel, the July 7
Tune in for the Global Broadcast and July
14 Global Broadcast. 40 Days of Fire | In August, Revive Israel will begin an intensive,
fulltime, 14-hour-a-day, 40-day training program to strengthen and invest in
young Israelis who yearn to grow closer to God, connect with the Holy Spirit,
grow in character and become more like Yeshua. We are calling it 40 Days of
Fire! Please partner with us.
Avner Boskey writes, It’s ‘time out’ on Planet Earth. Trains, planes and
automobiles have ground to a screeching halt. The pause button has been hit on
Hollywood, rock concerts and fancy weddings for right now. How long will this
go on? Will society be able to endure?
Read Discerning
our future
Arni
Klien also writes about the discernment of the times: "To sufficiently and rightly
delineate the dynamics of the hour, it is absolutely crucial that we see and
understand things from God’s perspective. In Jeremiah’s day the land was rife
with false prophets and false prophecies. While Jeremiah cried out to warn of
coming destruction, voices around him said it would all be fine. . . . Given
all that is taking place, it might look to some like the enemy has the upper
hand. However, we know for a certainty that that is never the case. In fact, as
great, dramatic and radical as it might appear in favor of the dark side, what
God is preparing to release is so much greater for the sake of His name and His
glory."
Marianne Gol writes for prayers for a family whose members have suffered many
heavy problems for several years and is now in another dire situation, with a
mother who has what doctors believe is a metastasis of breast cancer - which the
covid surge is delaying verifiying surgery...but also as the mom is dealing
with her daughter suffering from being hit by a car 4 and half years ago. Her
situation is not good...the finances are not good either. Pray for the miracles
of God this family needs is almost every direction. Many will minister to those
with minor issues in their lives, far fewer are willing to come alongside those
whose problems are overwhelming. God bless and encourage Marianne in good work,
having compassion of those in greatest needs.
Eric Benson is also one who works with people that few have the patience,
mercy or vision to deal with - those that have slipped so far into addictions
that the whole world, including family members have given up on. That is not to
shame any family dealing with an addicted loved one, few can do it from within
the family, or even with the body of the Lord. It is a special anointing to
walk alongside those whose lives have slipped into the abyss of addictions. It
is surely a grace given by God to find the balance of mercy and strong
spiritual authority to really help the addicted find their way to God and to
balance in life once more. When Eric writes, "We humbly believe that the
Lord is fulfilling a promise made through the prophet Ezekiel in the 36th
chapter, that an unclean people will be
made holy which will cause His name to be
hallowed in the midst of us and for the nations to know that He is the
Lord, Eric is taking that vision to an exceptional level. God bless him too,
and all those who are ministering to the addicts, humanity who have fallen to some
of the lowest levels of hell on earth among us.
Eric Benson runs the House of Victory in Haifa, here is a new video featuring Eric explaining about
the ministry. Here also is another broadcast of Eric giving a message at the at Poriya
Congregation: message starts one hour into the recording replay. And here is Eric
preaching at Carmel Congregation's mid-week meeting June 3.
In Tel Aviv's Tiferet Yeshua, Gil Afrait sends an article Feed Tel Aviv Corona Update, also Some are
saying, "The corona virus is a plan of Satan!" Others are saying,
"God is judging the earth." Read Who is Shaking the Earth?. Finally here
is what is going on in the congregation, Live-Stream during Corona and an
invitation to join them every Friday on Facebook or Youtube to get a taste of Hebrew worship!
Israel Pochtar, the Ashdod Beit Hallel congregation and Voice of Judah
Israel ministries, Israel writes on Your God-Given Dream. "... when God
called me to move from Tel Aviv to Ashdod to plant a congregation. God’s call
had challenged me on so many levels and my circumstances weren’t exactly ideal
for such a move. I needed God’s direction, His touch, and His comfort."
Pochtar also writes Humanitarian Efforts are in the Forefront Again
as a Second Wave of Covid-19 Hits Israel Affecting Local Families. Here is How to
Donate. Would you like to pray in Hebrew? Click for
this free Psalm 121 download
Finally, from Leon Mazin in the Return to Zion congregation in Haifa,
Leon writes about a personal request for prayers over the engagement of their
eldest daughter. Pray for her fiancée's battle over citizenship. We will look
up to "The mountains, from where
will come our salvation".
Leon asks also for their Olim Project. (The word olim means "immigrants to Israel". It literally means "ascenders" like the Psalms of Ascent, meaning going up, ascending, to Jerusalem.) Leon writes, " Despite the quarantine and the limited flights, a wave of interest rises about the Return to the Promised Land from the countries of the former Soviet Union, the USA, and other countries.
"Scriptures repeatedly speak of the days preceding the return of the Messiah and that these days there will be not only difficulties throughout the face of the earth but there will be also a movement of peoples. One such will be the Return of the Dispersed Jews to the Land of the Ancestors. My wife and I were like that and we have returned to Israel from Belarus and Ukraine thirty years ago, respectively. And now the movement is being renewed. Statistics say that Aliya - return to Israel grew by 20% and this is very significant. Ezekiel says in 36:24 "For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land."
Leon asks also for their Olim Project. (The word olim means "immigrants to Israel". It literally means "ascenders" like the Psalms of Ascent, meaning going up, ascending, to Jerusalem.) Leon writes, " Despite the quarantine and the limited flights, a wave of interest rises about the Return to the Promised Land from the countries of the former Soviet Union, the USA, and other countries.
"Scriptures repeatedly speak of the days preceding the return of the Messiah and that these days there will be not only difficulties throughout the face of the earth but there will be also a movement of peoples. One such will be the Return of the Dispersed Jews to the Land of the Ancestors. My wife and I were like that and we have returned to Israel from Belarus and Ukraine thirty years ago, respectively. And now the movement is being renewed. Statistics say that Aliya - return to Israel grew by 20% and this is very significant. Ezekiel says in 36:24 "For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land."
"Our project for receiving the Olim and their settlement worked in
the days of the quarantine and continues to develop and work these days. This
is especially involving consulting and and also includes food parcels and
assistance with housework, kitchen, and bedroom accessories. Pray for this
project!"
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 A prayer
request for Naomi, for a
dear family that is a part of Israel Pochtar's pastoral team, who was diagnosed
recently with colon cancer. "Despite what this battle entails, we are
confident in God’s unfailing Word and promises." Read in
her own words, as she has been prepared for chemotherapy which will begin next Monday.
| 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! | Olga Bikas severe back pain has kept her in "quarantine"
for the past 4 years or so! Please pray for God to do a miracle of healing for Olga. | Please pray for Rachel Netanel's brother who is
recovering | Please continue to pray for Jacob Damkani for 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.| Pray for Rania Sayegh who asks for prayer of restoration of strength, energy,
and complete healing.
Donna Diorio donna@israelprayer.com or donna@d10r10.com
THANK YOU to those who support this ministry with donations. ♥
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.
P O Box 111302 Carrollton, Texas 75006 | I do not have tax exempt status.
