"The Lord is for me among those who help
me." Psalm 118:7
HOPE is the best Medicine
by Donna Diorio
I was looking for a scripture to use in Arrows
about HOPE after reading the good report “Hope is the best Medicine” from Tents
of Mercy about Eitan Shishkoff and Leon Mazin recovering from Covid.
Something just struck me as profound as soon
as I laid eyes on the first time the word “hope” is used in the Bible because
of the biblical principle of "First Mention." This gist of this principle:
"Under the First Mention principle, the idea is that God indicates the
truth that stands in His mind that will not change later on. This means
that the initial discussion of any subject in the Bible would have unusual
significance."
Everyone talks about the
importance of FAITH, but it is impossible to have faith if we have no hope to
start with.
I found the first use of the word
HOPE in Ruth 1 where Naomi is telling her two daughters-in-law, Orpha and Ruth,
to turn back and return to their own homes, because she has no HOPE of
providing them with two new sons to replace her two dead sons they were married
to.
This concept of replacement of sons
is based on Deuteronomy 25:5-6. "the
wife of the dead man shall not be married outside the family to a stranger. Her
husband’s brother shall go in to her and take her as his wife and perform the
duty of a husband’s brother to her." In case of the death of her husband, the wife
was to remain in the family by marrying her husband’s brother.
Naomi tells her daughters-in-law, 'Even if I found a husband tonight and
bore sons,’ it would be a long wait before her sons were grown to marry Orpah
and Ruth. Naomi tells them it grieves
her for her daughter-in-laws sakes that she has no other sons who can step up
to marry and take care of them. Naomi says she has no hope because "the
hand of the LORD is gone out against me."
Naomi, is of course a type of
Israel—life has gone wrong and she is returning to her own land a hopeless and
embittered widow whose sons have also died. Sound familiar? Ruth, we know is a
type of the Gentile Church who will not be turned away from Naomi's side. She
is devoted to her mother-in-law regardless of what the future may hold. Might
Orpha also be a type of the gentile church too? Might she represent the part of
the church that looks at her mother-in-law (Israel) and says, 'You're right,
there is no hope for me with you. You
look out for you and I'll look out for me.'
Those who have no hope cannot have a merry heart, they are broken [naka]
in spirit. HOPE really is the best
medicine.
"A merry heart makes a cheerful
countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is [naka] broken." Proverbs 15:13
"A merry heart does good like a
medicine, but a broken [naka]
broken spirit dries the bones." Proverbs 17:22
"The spirit of a man will sustain
his infirmity; but a wounded [naka] broken spirit who can
bear?" Proverbs 18:14
If the dots do connect, then the Church that sticks with Israel is like
Ruth: Israel, like Naomi, has returned
to their own land, but Israelis are still essentially hopeless and embittered
of spirit. We, like Ruth, have the “HOPE against hope” to trust in the LORD and
to stick with Israel come what may.
But the Church that turns away like
Orpha, does not have the HOPE in the LORD necessary to do what God has called
us to do in these last days. They will turn back, away from Israel while the
Ruth Church will re-infuse Israel with the HOPE in the LORD that will see both
of us through to God’s good end for us.
Arrows
from Zion
Summarized
from the Weekly Summary of Prayer
Requests Israeli Ministries
Hope
is the best Medicine is the title of the ministry report received from
Tents of Mercy’s Avi and Hannah Tekle this week. Eitan Shishkoff is Hannah’s
dad and they were bringing good news indeed. Even though Eitan and Leon Mazin
of Return to Zion congregation had been hit hard by Covid, both have been
improving and it my latest report is correct, both are out of quarantine. Also
the younger men with the Katzir camp have improved to (and I’m assuming this
means Joel Jelski and Cody Archer).
In other Tents of Mercy news they
reported that they went through many plans for the younger children’s summer
camp because of the continually changing regulations in Israel but finally were
able to do “Plan C” which was a 2-day, 20 kids success “outside fun in the hot Israeli sun!”
Now they are awaiting to see what the upcoming school season will be like – in person
or by Zoom. Regardless the congregation
is still out caring for their community, with preparations for “the fall feast
food outreach. Please pray that it will bring HOPE and encouragement to the
recipients and that God would touch each one on our list in a deep and lasting
way that goes far beyond the physical receipt of food items.”
Up next a report from Restoration from Zion, Dan and Patty Juster,
and Ben and Lorena Juster’s personal ministry letter. Dan has been suffering from what is described
as a mild case of Covid. Upon re-entry to Israel, he tested positive for Covid,
but Patty did not. We are hearing reports that he is improving, although I
believe he is still in quarantine – sleeping more than he ever has in his life.
In his portion of the ministry letter Dan talks about the great meetings they
had with the Chinese Church of Rockland, Co. New York, also with “the time with Jerry
Dirman was so fruitful, and the time at Church of the Rock in Anaheim,
California was amazing. Also “in Denver
with Pastors Dave and Dee Dee Thompson at Gateway on Mt. Zion was also an
impactful time of new connection and unity.”
DD: These interactions with churches
committed to standing with Israeli ministries are on the rise in the United
States, as I hope they are in all other nations too. In fact, I have an article
in the upcoming Messianic Times for
Sept about the Gateway Dallas’ Center for Israel which is also urging their
network to understand the Divine call to the Church to stand with and support
Messianic Israel. We have been waiting for decades to see the charismatic
church awaken to our “duty” towards Messianic Israel and what Dan and Ben Juster
are engaged in developing relationships is also a huge part of that dream come
true. Like Psalm 126:1 “When the Lord
restored the captives of Zion, we were like those who dream [it seemed surreal].”
Returning the captives of Zion is a spiritual issue, not just a physical
return, and it cannot happen without the partnership of the Church with
Messianic Israel.
Ben Juster also wrote about their work with teens and
young adults “hungry for authentic believers
to invite them into relationships with Yeshua and to be challenged to live a
life that is sold out for God's Kingdom.” Patty Juster wrote how, “through
God's grace, each one of us can walk through the fire, climb high mountains,
solve impossible problems.” We may not do what someone else is doing, but God’s
grace is there for us in what we stand in.
From the City of Life
congregation in S’derot, their outreach to the community needy: their goal is
to supply 200 families with food baskets for The Biblical Autumn Holidays
and the Back To
School Project for young families with small
children seeks to supply 70 to 100 kids. Click the links to read more details
and to help them. It is a witness to the receiver, but also to their city
governments.
Asher Intrater writing in Tikkun Global and Revive Israel announces that he and Betty are moving back to Jerusalem as a message he has been carrying in his heart for almost 4 decades (the “stake prophecy” from Isaiah 22) is “a fulfillment of our calling; a spiritual "alignment" with God's plan for us and our ministry.” The passage “speaks of a man named Eliakim who became a government leader in Jerusalem in the time of Isaiah and Hezekiah. The stake is also symbolic of the cross of Yeshua, who would come to be crucified on a stake and then rule on the throne of David from Jerusalem. For me the stake also represents the remnant of Messianic Jews in these last days, who stand in faith for the prophecies about Jerusalem and Yeshua. In any case, I have always felt a personal identification with this passage as a calling to serve the Lord in Jerusalem.” He writes, “The stake is a claim of inheritance by faith in every land. Put your stake in the ground. Believe for your nation. Take dominion in spirit and prayer. Let's stretch our tent and strengthen our cords. This tent has a central "stake" in Jerusalem, which helps to bring unity and alignment to the rest of the stakes. The stakes are connected to keys (Isaiah 22:22; Matthew 16:16-19; 18:18-20). The stake represents a faith claim toward the earth. The keys open the windows of heaven above. Wherever you are, put your stake in the ground beneath and open the heavens above.” You can also watch the message as Asher presented it on the Global Broadcast last week: Isaiah 22: "The Stake".
And they are launching the Revive Israel Tikkun Global (RITG) WORSHIP A new sound is emerging from Zion and will go to the ends of the Earth. We will offer the Body of Yeshua a new resource, filled with quality worship music videos. Stay tuned and please pray for our production teams. Worship Now
Avi and Chaya Mizrachi writing for Dugit Outreach Ministries in Tel Aviv is asking for 2 things: 1. That you would be praying for them: “that the people of Tel Aviv and all of Israel would hear the gospel clearly and embrace the salvation that God offers in Yeshua | that the youth of Israel would know and grow their God-given identity | that God would prepare believers for the future | that the increase in post-pandemic domestic violence would cease in Tel Aviv and across Israel | that the Israeli government would walk in wisdom and make decisions that honor God, even as we “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6).” The second thing is what MUST BE RELEASED TO EVERY ISRAELI MESSIANIC MINISTRY WE KNOW: Financial support for the ministry. They write, “As God answers our prayers, we are seeing a flood of new opportunities to minister and many doors are opening. Honestly, the needs we see around us are much greater than we can meet. We need your help to continue to touch as many lives in Israel as possible through our coffeehouse outreach, Distribution Center, media ministry, congregation, and all of our other local outreaches and street ministries.”
This ministry is ROCK Solid! “For more than 30 years, DUGIT Messianic Outreach Center has been bringing the Good News of Yeshua to the people of Israel. Our heartbeat is to share the gospel, make disciples, pray without ceasing, and care for the hurting. Our Outreach Center and HaOgen Coffee House are located in Tel Aviv”
From Chuck Cohen of Intercessors for Israel in Jerusalem: Friday Prayer Points
8/13/2021 The
Shabbat portion was Isaiah 52:7, “How beautiful upon
the mountains are the feet of him that brings good news, that declares peace …
that declares salvation; that says unto Zion, 'Your God reigns!' “ Chuck
writes, “Abba, we thank You that all who believe in Yeshua are grafted into
Israel's olive tree and are part of Israel's commonwealth, so this verse now
applies to believers as well (Rom. 11:17; Eph. 2:12-13).. . . We declare that
You, Messiah Yeshua, are Lord of all (Acts 10:36). What an incredible truth
that You, Lord Yeshua, love us like Your Father loves You (John 15:9)!”
The Aviv Ministry is for evangelism and ministry to addicts on the streets of Tel
Aviv, headed by Dov Bikas. Back in Beer Sheva where their congregation is, Dov
and wife Olga are also running a men’s rehab and a women’s shelter. Currently
they have 11 in the Beer Sheva rehab. “One of our newcomers is a 28-year-old N.
from Arad. Several weeks ago, we got a call from an elderly lady who was
looking for a rehab for him. It turned out that she was not his mother or any
relative. She simply met him in her neighbourhood and had pity on him, and used
to let him come to her place from time to time to eat and rest. She is not a
believer and she was helping him even though she was a bit afraid of him as a
total stranger and a problematic alcoholic… When she called us (she received
our telephone number from her believing neighbours), she was asking such
questions about the rehab and the conditions in it as if looking for a place
for her son. We were truly impressed by this lady and her heart for N. Today he
is in the rehab and is doing really well. He is also attending our church and
is very open to the Gospel. Please pray for him and the other rehabilitants.
In the women’s shelter – including “a
native Israeli girl, a Russian Jewish immigrant, an Ethiopian Jewish girl and
an Arab lady. We are glad the Lord is bringing us ladies from all major groups
of Israeli society, so we can share His light and love with them. Please keep
praying for all the residents of the Shelter.” See the
health update for Dov’s wife Olga in the healing prayer section below.
The Aliyah Return Center writes about why we should be concerned about helping
the poor and needy. It goes back to Yeshua’s statement in Matthew 25, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one
of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.’ They write, “Yeshua had an immense heart for
the needy and destitute. The author in Hebrews says of Him, “both the One who
makes people holy, and those who are made holy, are of the same family.
Therefore He [Yeshua] is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters”
(Hebrews 2:11). When we seek after God and share His heart for His world and
especially the Promised Land where He chose to put His Name, it is then clear
WHY we do what we do. We are doing it TO Him, and FOR His glory.
“The Aliyah Return Center vision became
reality over 8 years ago with only a small
group of people volunteering and reaching out to fill the many needs of the new
immigrants and needy in Galilee, starting with food clothing and shelter.. .. See
the VIDEO
and support the
work of the Aliyah Return Center.
Ron Cantor also writes with concern for the needy: “Over the past year, we have
raised funds for people in Israel suffering because of the pandemic, helping
those who were out of work, Holocaust survivors (who have been so lonely),
foreign workers, and others. We just heard from a young Messianic leader and
his wife, who ran a school that had to close. They have both taken part-time
jobs! Because of you, we sent them 2,000 shekels ($622) and have helped so many
others!” Then they discovered they had “just over $10,000 still in our Covid
fund! I immediately sent out an email to congregational leaders all over
Israel, asking them if they had needs. We didn’t want those funds in the bank
but distributed to people in need….Within 24 hours, we had given away all of
the funds. But the problem is, people kept responding. And I can’t say no.
We’ve been making more donations, giving out of our general budget…. All of the
requests are vetted by congregational leaders. We do not just send out funds
because people ask. We work through local fellowships….. I told our team to
stop the fundraising campaign for a studio in Jerusalem—we have received the
initial funds needed, and we have a path forward. Now is the time to focus on
Israeli families in need. 100% of your donation will go to bless Israelis!
Please consider a generous gift today to help Israelis in need. God bless you!
Let’s show believers in Israel how much their friends around the world love
them. Just to go to http://www.blessisrael.co to stand with Israeli Messianic Jews in need.
The need among Israeli Messianics is
much greater than you imagine.
Out of Zion Ministries’ David Silver for his Week Ending Update Video Aug 13, 2021 & Midweek 8/17. Visit their website for more resources including teachings and VIDEOS
Please note new bank
restrictions in Israel are imposing much stricter rules on charitable donations
and I imagine will be hearing from other ministries in the days ahead. We
got this in from the HaCarmel
congregation led by Dani and LuAnne Sayag noting, “Only
our official govt-registered name, “Kanfei Shahar,” can be used in making wire
transfers, on checks, and any other method of donation. Please do not add any
additional words such as "Kehilat HaCarmel," "Carmel
Congregation," "Or HaCarmel," or any name related to our
ministries, as the donation may not be accepted by the bank. [For more
details, contact the congregation by email or consult the website (which is
currently being updated, probably with this information). ]
In their ministry news, Peter Tsukahira, a co-founding Pastor, writes about
keeping our wine skins “new” because “Old
wineskins are hard, brittle and become cracked. New wineskins are soft and
pliable. They stretch. Yeshua meant us to understand that our lives are like
the wineskins in His parable. Our hearts and minds can be either hard or soft.
We can become rigid in our faith, or flexible and able to stretch to encompass
growth and new directions from the Lord. Humility is required for new growth,
but a heart unwilling to change may eventually become a heart unable to change.”
In prayer requests: Please continue to pray for Israel’s new
government as they struggle to find the right path of action in this very
difficult (Covid) situation. Another lockdown is being discussed | Both of our
borders are very hot right now, especially the northern border. On August 6th,
nineteen katusha
rockets slammed into areas in northern
Israel. Please pray against war, and wildfires fueled by arson as we endure the
last days of summer | Lebanese believers need protection right now. The
financial and political situation there is in crisis since the blast in the
port last summer. Please pray for Lebanon | Last month we posted a prayer
request for our maintenance team and a list of needs they have. Since
that time, there have been health and family issues which have made it even
more challenging for the team. We deeply appreciate your prayers for
protection and refreshing for all our staff | We continue to distribute
clothing and parcels of food through Hadar HaCarmel, however we have had to
pause the Hot Meal project as of this week because of the green pass
regulations imposed on Beit Yedidia, because it is registered as a hotel.
Medabrim continues to receive thousands of “hits” on their Hebrew-language
posts and videos.
Arni Klein’s letter was too long to get into this
email by the time it arrived yesterday, so I did a maximum edit on his thoughts
about all the chaos going on and the challenges of knowing what is fact and what
is agenda, how God is sovereign and thereby “He is never in the position of responding to the enemy....In
seeking to understand the present, we find it helpful if not essential to go to
the end of the road and look back from there. Everything culminates in the
return of the King and must be viewed in that light. Chief among the road
markers of what leads up to that day is the removal of Israel’s blindness and
blessing the One who comes in the Name of the Lord. ...Remembering the spirit
of our beginnings in the light of the now is stirring and challenging. Our dynamics
in this present crossing over are similar but not exactly the same. ...While pondering all this a word came into
my mind: “Eternalize, Eternalize.” Cover it all with the cloak of eternity.
Strive to see from Father’s perspective. It’s quite a different picture from
there.... . The enemy’s curses and threats and arrows first come before the One
in Whom we are hidden. We do not want to superficially simplify a deeply
complex matter. The bottom line is more about our inner spiritual state than
our visible actions. We want to present all of this for prayer and
consideration and not as hard and fast doctrine.”
Next week I will resume in the more
personal aspects of what is going on in the Emmaus Way ministry.
Urgent HEALING Needs: Life and Death is in the power of the tongue
Please keep in prayer
the Israeli believers who are fighting for their lives or other urgent health
needs:
Please Pray for David Friedman in
Jerusalem. From his wife, "For all those who know and love my husband,
David...now is the time to pray. A doctor looked in on him earlier. The event
was a cardiac arrhythmia. At present he is stable, but obviously quite serious.
He is in a medically induced coma - intubated." | Report in for Dan Juster who has
a mild case of Covid and is in quarantine. Eitan Shishkoff and Leon Mazin have improved and are out of quarantine, as
have the young men of the Katzir camp leadership. Have not received direct updates on Cody & Liat Archer
& family, several in the Acco youth,
Joel Jelski (Fields of Wheat), and OrEl, married daughter of Avi and Chaya Mizrachi, but I am assuming the report I got covered
them also. Pray for each to recover fully and quickly with no harm and no
spreading to families and others. | Claude Ezagouri of the Morning Star
Fellowship who has started a treatment that is due to last at least 6 months
for a medical problem he has been suffering from. Believe in prayer with them as they look to
the Lord for complete healing and for
prompt recovery from some other ailments. Hallel Goldman, daughter of Yariv Goldman, Hallel ministers to young
people coming out of an Orthodox life. Hallel appears to have some kind
of heart infection. Pray for her healing. Also pray for her dad, Yariv,
unspoken prayer. | Ronit Bender finally
has seen a new cardiologist she likes because he is caring, she’s taking new
meds, feels better but still asks for our prayers | Pray for Carolyn Hyde whose left hand is so
pained she can no longer play guitar and it is also sometimes painful to play
piano | Silvers: David's knees and Josie's back pain | Rachel Netanel is still recovering
from a broken ankle. She asks for healing & for the pain to subside. Her
ankles were weak already, so the process is slow and painful| A prayer request
for Naomi, for a dear
family that is a part of Israel Pochtar's pastoral team, who was diagnosed with
colon cancer. "Despite what this battle entails, we are confident in God’s
unfailing Word and promises." Read in her
own words| Please continue to pray for Jacob Damkani for the LORD's mercies over Jacob and his dear wife, Elisheva | Dov Bikas
– I have been very
tired these days: probably as a result of a combination of factors: my age,
stress of the days of running to the bomb shelter, work load in the ministry,
etc. Olga Bikas: We are
grateful that Olga is feeling better these days! Though the doctors never found
the cause of the dizziness that put her in hospital a month ago, they did rule
out major issues like brain tumors, heart problems, etc., so this is already
comforting. Olga’s back also keeps improving and she is able to walk more
outside now than she did before.
Thank you for donating to my ministry if it is a blessing to you.♥
PayPalMe/DonnaDiorio or search PayPal for: donna@israelprayer.com
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.
