Transitions | 2021 & the Biblical New Year | 3 18 2021
Arrows from ZionPrayer Requests Points from Israeli Messianic Jewish & Christian Arab Ministry Leaders
The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced on Tuesday that it has recovered dozens of fragments of a biblical scroll for the first time in about 60 years .... The “new” Dead Sea Scroll fragments, include portions from the Book of 12 Minor Prophets, including the books of Zechariah and Nahum.
2021 & the Biblical New Year
by Donna Diorio
It struck me because I was just reading Peter Robertson's post on the real Jewish New Year and how it is: "The Biblical New Year’s Day seems to be featured in a prophecy that is as of yet unfulfilled. In the Temple that is found on the pages of Ezekiel the prophet, the first day of the first month is designated as the annual day on which to purify the sanctuary. It is an annual new beginning for this Temple on the New Year’s Day. “Thus says the Lord God: In the first month, on the first day of the month, you shall ... purify the sanctuary.” In Nate Johnston's prophetic word, he was talking about how it was a time of transition - a new beginning from what was described as a vision that had been so long in coming it was almost given up on. That sure describes the transition I am suddenly personally sensing for myself. As of Monday which was Nisan 2, it has seemed to me a transition that I have been waiting to see for the Israeli Messianic believers for a couple of decades has begun.
For them it has been more than just a couple of decades of longing for the time. It is always the waiting that tests us. It seems we are just not used to God's timing — it is so different from our own sense of what the timing should be.
A friend who is a long time intercessor for the Israeli body of believers, Liz Rhodes, wrote on Sunday that she had just had a retinal membrane removed from her eyes three days earlier. She even sent a video of the process of peeling away the thin membrane that had developed over her central vision. Liz wrote,
If you are a student of the Old Testament, you see that although "instant" miracles do happen, in the lives of the people who became pivotal in God's will, they were usually not the ones who instantly rose to prominence. They weren't the ones others looked to for leadership or even input. I think we are in a generation of people who are pivotal to God's will in the coming next few years —when I say "a generation" it is the whole generation of people, from the youngest to the oldest, none is doing this without the other. It will take the vibrancy of youth and the wisdom of the aged. Only God gets the glory, not any age group in our generation.
One of my favorite verses is the encouragement to "Faint not, for in due season we will reap if we do not faint." When we faint, it is like we become overwhelmed: feeling weak, dizzy, exhausted, we lose consciousness. When something is faint it is lacking brightness, vividness, clearness, loudness, strength. Another favorite verse is that "Faith and patience inherit the promises."
I believe we are in a time of transition, and there has been plenty to make us feel faint in every sense of the word, but now is the time to stir ourselves in our most holy faith to press into the promises of God that He stirred up in us. Opposition will not stop as we are pressing in, but this is a time of vision renewal, so we can again see ourselves standing in the promises we have held in our hearts.
"For I know the plans that I have for you, says the LORD, plans for good and not evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Arrows from Zion
Summarized from the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests Israeli Ministries
Asher Intrater of Tikkun Ministries writes
about the real biblical New Year which began Sunday, Nisan 1"half way between Purim
(in the middle of the twelfth month) and Passover (in the middle of the first
month). A spiritual change of seasons is taking place here. Something is
definitely transitioning. We believe this is also a new period for the
relationship between Israel and the Church. The convergence of these two divine
vehicles is ever increasing. Romans 11 promises that the "grafting
in" of the international and Israelite branches of the "olive
tree" will bring about five great results. Read more in his New Year and the Glory of God. Dan Juster's
The Israel Elections
and the Ultra-Orthodox Jews, Book: That They May Be One, and Moshe Morrison's Pigs Have Kosher Feet.
The monthly
news & prayer
letter from the
Wellspring, HaMaayan congregation which is led by Tony and Orna Sperandeo, is
available this month on their blog - plus all the accompanying pictures.
David & Josie Silver send a monthly family update on their doings, as
Israel is gradually expected to emerge from lockdowns that have kept David
grounded from international touring, and Josie's annual prayer summit / tour cancelled for the 2nd time
over the 2-Covid years. But they are keeping on with ministry in the form
newsletters & Zoom meetings. (David's most recent video update March 13.) Their son Stefan and wife Keren, are busy
pastoring at the Kerem-el congregation, but
Stefan will also be returning to an active part of in David &
Josie's Our of Zion ministry beginning in March. "Because we have no idea
when it will become possible to recommence our ministry to the Body of Messiah
in the nations, we are rethinking how we can move forward and increase our
ability to bring the Word of the LORD out of Zion, and to continue to encourage
an increase in the level of prayer and intercession for Israel and for the
salvation of the Jewish people. So you can look forward to hearing more of Stefan's
biblical insights which are rooted in his excellent understanding of the Hebrew
language." Their other son and daughter-in-law, Jordan and Limor work with
the Carmel congregation's video production team, and Limor is the office
administrator for the Messianic health workers ministry that is run by Keren's
father. They ask prayers for their
entire family as they continue to work to "to fulfill the apostolic
calling on the Jewish people to be a blessing and a light to the nations. "
You can partner with them in many ways, including by donation.
I just want to reiterate how Covid has been tough on the whole world, but it
has really made the whole body of believers in Israel economically stressed. We
really need to step up to the plate to help as much as we can.
Shirya Yahav sends the Peniel Fellowship ministry letter on behalf of herself
and Daniel Yahav in Tiberias. They are seeking ways to keep the unity within
the congregation over covid vaccinations which has severely divided Israelis in
two. One side is super pro-vaccination, the other pro-individual freedom to
choose. Most of the congregations are mentioning this is an issue for them to
be able to find the right balance in order to open their congregations, yet
keep the peace in such an atmosphere of divisive issues. Prayer for this is a
good one to pray for all the congregations.
There are some silver linings, they report, to the year of Covid lockdowns, unexpected like the teenager what was diagnosed as ADHD soaring to the top of her class in grading once she began studying at home via internet. Shirya says several other moms of teenagers in public school have reported the same. Also three prodigal sons from believing families have returned to the faith during this period. ...and they also ask, like all the other ministries, for your prayers over their election—it is a mess and needs a God-intervention! You can access Peniel "daily teaching as well as the Shabbat services with a translation into English, German, Russian and Spanish can be found at the Peniel website and on our YouTube channel We thank you and value your prayers very very much!"
Kobi &
Shani Ferguson's Fellowship of Artists concert did take place against a lot of
obstacles and the location they shot in the Judean Hills is truly breathtaking.
They are in editing now and plan to release the concert on Shavuot during the
Feast of First Fruits. In the Maoz Israel Report the continue How it All Began
(Part 1 and Part 2) with part 3 The First Congregation
—the first in Israel to be "unapologetically
geared towards building a Spirit-filled Hebrew-speaking community of Israelis."
In their weekly prayer letter, they wrote
about Sects, which I wish had a link so everyone could read and know how to
pray, as Shani highlights two issues: "...it is a mistake to generalize an
entire community (Arabs are like this—Jews are like this….) due to the actions
of a few. However, traumatic occurrences like this can create animosity towards
an entire people group.... The second is that there are many small extreme
groups in the country—both Jewish and Arab—who promote problematic behaviors
because of a charismatic and manipulative spiritual leader. " It is not a
lot to go on, but God knows exactly what you are talking about as your pray
over these two key issues disrupting Israeli life.
Benjamin Juster sends out a monthly Restoration from Zion letter on behalf of
himself & Lorena,and his parents, Daniel and Patty Juster. Ben is noting
the biblical new year adding, "I am certainly experiencing a new season,"
commenting on their recent move back to the US from Israel in order for Ben to
take heading the Tikkun America team. He writes that they continue to see the
flowering of a new season of relationships with churches taking a stand with
Israel. He writes, "Please pray that the special nature of our unity
continues to develop and that we have an encounter with the Presence of God
together...." From Daniel Juster, he writes about the controversies in
Israel over the vaccines, saying, "My two important prayer requests are
for the reopening of our congregation. May we have wisdom to follow the
regulations of the government, but yet make progress. We miss meeting together
very much. The other is the effort to relaunch an Israel Theological School for
training leaders at all levels. We are making progress on this, and I am one of
the four on the committee to work on this project. "
Dan adds: "...a few weeks ago I sent you an introduction and
recommendation for Vladislav Naginer from Karkov, Ukraine. I have related to
him for many years. He is one of the key teachers bringing solid biblical and
Jewish reflections for the Messianic Jewish movement and the churches of
Ukraine. In recent years, Vlad and his wife had had very hard physical medical
challenges. However, he perseveres and continues teaching. ... . I sense call to help him build a
support base. He does not need much.... His teaching is mostly in Russian of
course). Please email him to sign up to his
teaching letters. His ministry is called "Jews, Christians and the Word of
God." To donate to Vlad's ministry visit Tikkun.
Lead pastor Gil Afrait at Tiferet Yeshua — the one featured above in the Maoz
Israel Report —sends two articles, A Season of Trials,
and one by his wife Tamar Could Covid be a
Blessing? Plus in their look into the Hebrew language, Hebrew Roots this issue they cover the Hebrew
root "aflict" with word that come from the root: "season"
and "answer" —"Sometimes God gives deeper answers through a
season of affliction."
Chaim Malespin of the Aliyah Return Center writes, "In the history of the
Aliyah Return Center, never have we been in a more trying time." He did
not elaborate on that point but I want to add that they have become the target
of religious persecution which has broken a key relationship they had with the
Jewish Agency. For any believers in Yeshua as Messiah, the unwanted attention
of religious opposition is surely going to come their way eventually. This does
not stop the believers from praising God and continuing their work, but you
should know that it is a heavy burden when the attention of Israel's religious
activists fall on believers. It is a
good time to hold up Chaim and his team at the ARC for a special outpouring of
grace, favor and help in funding the vision God has given the. They are working
on a new vision for Lone Soldier Housing & you can watch
this video to learn more. Also, they
invite you to unite with them online for a holy convocation March 27th, 2021 at
6 PM Israel time as we unravel an ancient mysterious correlation between the
last supper, communion, the Passover lamb, the elements of the Passover Seder,
and the Christians part in the ongoing exodus happening today while the
prophecies relating to that are being fulfilled as we speak. We eagerly look forward to celebrating
Passover with you. Click to donate to the ARC
From Asher Intrater's Revive Israel “Breaking the Vessels”
→ “Repairing the World” an article that reveals how Bible history
for the nation of Israel is about several periods of dispersion and re-gathering. This is a very prominent
aspect of Jewish thought, that is not found in most Christian (or secular)
literature. " Destruction and disaster among the Jewish people would lead
to salvation and redemption to the nations, and then the Jewish people would be
restored. That is the mystical view of
“breaking of the vessels” and “repairing the world,” he writes. "There is
a divine purpose and logic behind these disasters, in which the greater and
wider good will be made apparent later on. To every dream and vision, there is
a death and rebirth. May God give us all
more grace, faith, hope, and perseverance to walk out what is hidden from us in
times of horribly painful scattering and suffering. "
Ashdod Beit Hallel pastor Israel Pochtar sends this VIDEO & article "And now I entrust you to God and the message of His grace". Also, For a small country like Israel, People — Israel's Biggest Asset. This is why new immigrants are so important to this land, and God made it very clear that we are not only to receive them, but we are to take care of them in their time of need because He mentioned that not only the strong and healthy will arrive, but the vulnerable and the sick. We cannot turn away from their needs. To help them: donate
Ron Cantor of Messiah's Mandate writes about the elections...and it's
not pretty. He writes, "The division taking place within—over coronavirus vaccines and
lockdowns—are turning Israelis on one another." There is not a clear
winner in sight. But at Shelanu TV—24/7
Hebrew, Yeshua-centered TV the Word of God is going forth and changing
lives in Israel. It is a digital channel
that is reaching in places that were unreachable before. Take a peek at the Hebrew Gospel channel and help them by donating.
From Avishalom Tekle at Tents of Mercy in northern Israel, they are preparing for Passover 2021 Update (video). Avi writes, "This time of the year that we gear up to do our Passover city wide Outreach. This year we are trying to reach as many as we can, as the COVID crisis has hit so many families and affected their livelihood. We want to thank you for your partnership and prayer covering for us during these days." Can you help?
Gilad Rosinger of Radiant Israel continues their Global Shabbat Livestream & Prayer Calls via AUDIO only OR Video On YouTube OR Facebook. "Many people all over the world are going through different challenges; depression, oppression, anxiety, poverty, persecution - the list goes on. That is why it is our heart to stand together unified as one Body and one Mind to provide more information about the gift of Sabbath rest that is for everyone and create a space where we can all come together for support. " Click here to become a Global Shabbat FB Group Member! Click to Donate to our ministry. Also: Mazal Tov to the Rosinger's who are expecting another "radiant" Rosinger in the months ahead.
Michael Beener in
Sderot at Ir HaHaim, City of Life, is also getting prepared to go
out to reach the most needy in our city Sderot by distributing food baskets,
supermarket coupons and other amazing gifts. Watch and read Passover is Soon! to see how they will
bless more than 500 families in Sderot.
You can help one family with only $30. Learn about all their Compassionate Outreach Projects.
Guy Cohen sends a teaching that addresses how the
Covid crisis has many people " in a dilemma regarding where to stand in making
critical decisions. Many in the body here in Israel and in the rest of the
world; from all branches of the faith, have been found to be struggling with
how to respond to situations and questioning what exactly is or is not
compromise." He concludes, and I
agree: "Where does all this uncertainty lead us? It should lead us to the
realization of how critical it is to hear God. Even the Word does not
necessarily give us a one step at a time solution to every situation we may
find ourselves in. From within the framework of God's word we must hear from
the Spirit of God. We must come before God and close out all the noise around
us; whether family and friends, media and even leaders. At some point it will
be us seeking God for the answer."
Peter Tsukahira is a co-founding pastor at the Carmel Congregation in Haifa. He
just returned from 2 months in the USA visiting family and was there for the
birth of one of his grandchildren, but also the night he returned to Israel his
99-year old mother passed into eternity with God. He writes, " This experience has served
to deeply impact my heart with the importance of family. The Bible is filled
with stories about families. It has been said that the greatest example of a
family is that of Father God Who created children in His image and His
continuing desire and struggle to redeem them from sin and live in loving
relationship to Him. Yeshua taught us to pray, “Our Father, who is in heaven…” Faith in Yeshua is an invitation to
join the family of God and truly know God as our Father.... In this special
season, we are called to look carefully and lovingly at those closest to us. We
have God-given bonds of relationship with family members who believe and with
others who still do not believe. All of our family members are given to us by
God. Be encouraged to humanly love, serve, pray and reach out to everyone in
your family knowing that this is the will of God for you. " It is a
beautiful encouragement.
The HaCarmel congregation continues to help the needy in their community with Hot Meals with Love and recently hosted
the Heal Our Land prayer initiative focusing on
abortion. HaCarmel will not be livestreaming
Mar 27 due to Passover but here are some recent broadcasts: Shabbat Meeting | Midweek Meeting. Also Subscribe to our YouTube channel and you can receive notifications when we post a new
video or livestream.
Howard Bass of the Yeshua's Inheritance congregation have an online Passover Haggadah
in five languages at their Kehilat Nachalat website. Howard writes,
"I do not ever remember (which might not mean much) Passover beginning at
the end of a Shabbat. How will Jews, especially religious ones, prepare for
Passover when they need to stop all of their preparations before the Sabbath
begins on that Friday evening?! Israel also moves the clock forward for the
summer on that Thursday night/Friday morning, the 26th." The congregation
hosts a lot of international students every year - all of which are looking
forward to when the congregation can meet together again post-Covid
restrictions. While the lockdown has gone on, they have been doing renovations
which are almost complete but donations to the work is still appreciated. They
just started a new series on 1 Timothy, and you can find the two first
installment on the congregation website. They are also starting a new house group for Hebrew
only - studying Jonah to begin with. Our intention if for the elders (me and
Eduardo) to begin leading and teaching the group, planning to hand it over to
one among the appropriate younger persons later this year. We also hope to get a better idea of those
with potential responsible and mature leadership for more involvement in the
congregation, and for opening other small groups. The time is coming when this will be necessary
as last-days prophecies come upon this generation. (Zec 1:5-6)
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
Pray for Rachel Netanel who is recovering from a broken ankle. She asks prayers for healing and for the
pain to subside. Living in a home with
lots of stairs makes it all the more difficult| 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| Ronit Bender wrote, I am feeling pretty good, but do have trouble climbing stairs and walking is getting tougher for me because of my heart situation. My cardiologist was changed by my health provider. He is very unpleasant
and I want a new one. | Rachel Netanel wrote, Please pray for me as well. I have very high blood pressure and the
doctors have sent me to have a number of tests. The results won’t come for a
while but please pray that all will be well. I do have peace in Yeshua.
| Please
continue to pray for Jacob Damkani for the
LORD's mercies over Jacob and his dear wife, Elisheva | Olga Bikas is slowly recovering from the operation, but fell and broke
her ankle.
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