Monday, March 21, 2022

Stay Tuned 
I will be resuming the ONLINE weekly Arrows from Zion
on a new blog platform.
Emailed Arrows from Zion to subscribers continues.
You can follow my public pare on Facebook
until I get the new blog
set up
View much of my earliest online material dating back to 2006-
so many of the larger issues remain valid -
at my very much older Israelprayer website
(as a 1 person ministry, I found
dealing with a website too cumbersome)
So I switched to blogs, most recent weekly
Arrows from Zion blog 2016-Mar 2022
or the earliest weekly issues Arrows 2009-2016
Fruit of the Fig Tree (spiritually oriented pieces)
and 
Israel Watcher | General news issues with a reach into Israel
and/or related to the Israeli Body of Messiah both Jew and Arab.

I stopped posting so many of my articles on these blogs,
with the exception of the weekly Arrows from Zion after
beginning to do much in the moment posting on Facebook.
FB is unsatisfactory to me at this time (censorship)
and the new blog platform 
is still on my radar for this year.
I also departed from strong activity on Twitter focused on
following news people that I trust (a few good ones left)
- but both of my accounts were permanently banned 
(the children do not believe in freedom of speech
or an open marketplace of ideas).

Since 2019 with the suspicious tale of a preemptive terrorist
arrest in Las Vegas of the only Messianic congregation in Nevada,
I am also doing regular articles in the Messianic Times.



Wednesday, December 15, 2021

The Miracle Birth | Arrows from Zion 12 15 2021

Worshiper Marty Goetz takes the music by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim 
for West Side Story into a truly divine expression, "Somewhere (There's a Place for Us)."  
Recorded live in Jerusalem and accompanied by a 26-piece orchestra 
led by Israeli Messianic composer, David Loden.  

Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. Philippians 2:6-8

 “Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.” John 14:1-4

The Miracle Birth
by Donna Diorio

First, I just encourage everyone to spend some time in Luke 1 and 2, thinking on the wonder of it all, the birth of the Divine in human skin so long ago in Jerusalem.  It is the birth that changed everything and it is so worthy of our spending time to consider it. How profound this event is in God’s great plan for our salvation!

     Also, I note that several have been getting prophetic words of God encouraging us to press in and dig deeper —some even specifying from “December to September” or from Hanukkah & Christmas 2021 to the “Rosh Hashanah” —actually the Feast of Trumpets 2022. I have sensed God speaking to me to go deeper and press in for the time is short – but with no particular time limits. For me it is more just to the end of my days.
     After the death of my husband's daughter, God has touched something in me so I am having an increased tenderness toward all the suffering of human beings in this world. Instead of just seeing people in rebellion, some of them unloving, full of sins and even some openly enemies of the Gospel, God was giving me a sense of how they hurt from their wounds in life. God was showing me that some were downright mean because it was defensive to keep themselves from being hurt anymore.  Not all would accept God’s help but many could be rescued spiritually. That is the same thing Yeshua saw when He walked this earth – the pain and rebellion of humanity, but also the ones that were open to be healed by God’s love.  
     God has been saying to me this is also the purpose of our inheritance with all the saints in the Messiah. Our inheritance is not just for ourselves, but for those who are in our world. We have to have a heart for others, like His heart for them. If it was easy everyone would be doing it. From a human standpoint this is tough!  But God has sent a Way.
     When Yeshua knew the time was approaching to lay down His life, He spoke to His disciples that He was going away but He was leaving them His peace and for them not to be troubled or afraid. Then Yeshua told them He would not be able to speak much more to them "for the prince of this world comes, and has nothing in me. "
     That phrase "has nothing in Me" is translated many ways by various translators. I believe based on the original language, King James got it absolutely accurate" "oudeis en emoi."  There was NOTHING within Yeshua that was an open door to demons. He was not even passive agreement with the enemy of our souls, who is satan, the prince or ruling spirit over this world.  That is why the very next thing Jesus told His disciples is "But I do exactly what the Father has commanded Me, so that the world may know that I love the Father." 
     Personally I realize that I cannot yet say that the ruler of this world has "nothing in me," nor consequently, I do not always do "exactly what the Father has commanded me." I would like that to be true, but I know it is not yet the reality within me. Even the apostle Paul recognized that he had not attained to that level, but he said he was pressing toward that mark.
     But the time in the epic spiritual battle between Light and darkness, of the demonic rebellion against God is short —not just because I am 70 and my personal time short, but time for other people in my world is short.  I must press in fervently if I want to take them with me into eternal life.

     "Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only TRUE God, and Messiah Yeshua, whom You have sent." John 17:3

On Thursday, Dec 16th we will be holding the funeral for my husband’s daughter. I will likely take the next week off from preparing the weekly prayer summaries. Remember the final weeks of 2021 are perfect times to bless the Israeli Ministries and get a charitable write off too. - donna


Arrows from Zion
Summarized from the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests Israeli Ministries

This week I found the most extraordinary salvation testimony on the Kehila News Israel. Written by the person who experienced it, Jennifer Guetta, now a member of the Poriya congregation overlooking the Sea of Galilee.  Jennifer’s story Biblical archaeologist has supernatural encounter with Yeshua - From Kabbalah to Yeshua will stir your heart up to see that God REALLY IS waking up Israelis to the identity of the Messiah, and He has some rather extraordinary means at His disposal to use!! This is a must read in this season.

From the Intercessors for Israel Friday Prayer Points 12-10-2021 Chuck Cohen writes about the Torah portion last Shabbat with God’s purposes that came out of Joseph’s brothers selling him into slavery: “What a comfort and encouragement to know that ultimately You are in control and are more than able to work in everything to bring about Your purposes (Rom. 8:28).”  He also writes “The Torah portion tells the touching story of how Joseph revealed himself to his estranged brothers (Gen. 45:3). In many ways this is a prophetic picture of how Yeshua is doing that with many Jewish people today…. Thank You Lord Yeshua, for how often You save Jews without anyone else around (Gen. 45:1). King Messiah, take advantage of this time in Israel when there is a lack of tourists and continue to unveil Yourself to Your people (Zech. 12:10; John 1:29-34; 47-51).” Read in full online
     [There is a report out of Israel that cabinet members are telling tour agents and guides to consider a career change because the tourism industry could be “sacrificed” as the draconian Corona measures continued to be pursued by Israel and many other governments around the world. It is political manipulation when so many legitimate/proven life saving therapeutics are readily available to doctors and hospitals if they would only use them? –dd]

From RITG Revive Israel | Tikkun Global, Asher Intrater shares about the “place of deep intimacy” with the LORD “that only comes through shared suffering” in the Fellowship of His Suffering. Tents of Mercy pastor Avi Teckle with about the Ethiopian Jewis community in Perilous Exodus & Dream Come True. Catch more great articles from Tikkun ministers in the online December issue of Israel's Restoration Magazine, Plus replay the last weekly Global Broadcast from the Revive Israel Team with Praise, Prayer, Prophecy, Preaching from Israel. This week, Ariel Blumenthal delivered the message.

Israel Pochtar of the Ashdod Beit Hallel congregation and Voice of Judah Ministries notes that “Generosity is driven by love.” That is why it is so easy to bless those we love, and why many Christians are awakening to the reality that if we love Israel as God loves Israel, we will express it in our generosity to sow into the salvation of Israel being expressed by the Israeli Messianic congregations and outreaches to their own people! This is no small thing. Where you heart is, that is where you are going to put your money.
     See and read Pochtar’s Reigniting the Knowledge of Jesus this Christmas in Israel and Bringing Back Christmas to Israel.  PLUS One New Man Conference in Eilat: The Power of Love between Arab and Jewish Believers with Youth Pastor Sasson and a video with Pastor Israel Reconciliation Conference — What does it look like when Israeli Arabs and Jews are United in Jesus? | You can also enjoy the videos Israel Pochtar is bringing with short words and teachings from wonderful locations in Israel we might not otherwise ever get to see, like Ancient Tel Dan: Immerse Yourself in the Beauty of Israel

The Streams in the Desert ministry of Marianna Gol is one that reaches out to “widows and orphans” literally and figuratively. TOMORROW they are doing a PRAYER BLITZ Thursday 12/16 for our young soldiers and possibly a couple of other matters. 2:30pm Jerusalem time. BUT NOW is the time to “email me if you would like to receive Zoom link or specific prayer requests. “

The Tiferet Yeshua shares Salvation Stories because in the midst of the last two years of often severe challenges due to Covid lockdowns, they are still seeing a bumper crop of salvations in the Lord’s harvest. Part of that is because “at the beginning of 2020, we hired Kosta to our team to focus exclusively on outreach and discipleship. Since then, Israelis of all ages and backgrounds have been reaching out to us.” When I read that I was instantly reminded of that 1989 Kevin Costner movies, Field of Dreams with the famous saying, “If you build it, He will come.” I mean isn’t that the same premise of Noah building that ark on dry land all those years ago? The biblical principle is there: if you plan to harvest, you must plant the seeds. The seeds in this case are the people like Kosta that all the Israeli Messianic ministries have been yearning to see financial support dedicated to so they can be even more effective in the LORD’s harvest. It is the LORD’s harvest and He will bring it forth. If we want a part in it, like Ruth in the days of old, we are going to have to invest in helping in the fields of the Messianic Jews. The own the Land, the harvest will come from their own fields – but we can really help that along in a big way with some minor adjustments to how we think about it. If you help them build it, He will come and fulfill it.
     Also Going Deeper Together | A few months ago we were brainstorming about ways to encourage people to make reading the Word part of their daily routine. Read more about how new believers and even seekers are having their lives changed in these weekly meetings.

Chaim Malespin & the Aliyah Return Center send the playlist of all 8 nights of Hanukkah for you to enjoy. Also Watch this short video at the Distribution Center where they are handing out “clothing and supplies for the new immigrants to the Land. We also continue to hand out grocery coupons (food stamps) in the form of a supermarket voucher card, albeit sparingly, as we only have a limited number of them left.”
     The next Israeli holiday (1/17/22) of the Land is Tu b'Shvat,- the Festival of the Trees, for which we have organized a large tree planting expedition in which we invite you to participate with us to restore the hills of this Land to their former verdant glory following the recent wildfires. This will occur in mid-January (Opt in here).   ALSO Be sure to join us next Thursday (12/16) for the next session of our new 10-part Ambassador Academy series "The Gospel According to the Rabbi from Galilee"! (sign up here)

     To donate to support the work of the Aliyah Return Center


Out of Zion Ministries is still Israel-bound with no outside touring possible yet, so that means ministry by Zoom and Video. If you can help this ministry make up in the loss of their usual touring support, it would be greatly appreciated. In the meantime, enjoy the replays of David Silver for his 12/10 Week End Friday Video Update & 12/14 Midweek Update Video  (12/14 returns to YouTube instead of Google Drive). To watch live you need to contact them to subscribe and you can find everything you need on the new Out of Zion website


Norma Sarvis from her blog From this Mountain thoughts from Mt. Zion shares a good word on Waiting

Aleksey Raikhstadt at the Jaffa Beit Immanuel congregation writes, “Despite having gone through a challenging season during this pandemic, we remain standing in faith that the church at large is about to enter into a new season of revival and breakthrough, believing that God will restore all that the enemy has stolen. “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten” - Joel 2:25-32  AMEN!
     Aleksey also shares an inspired word Spoiled Children and Humble Dogs – “There are two Greek words for dogs. One was used in an offensive sense “κύων” (street dog, scavenger, unclean animals) whereas the other word “κυνάριον” was for a small domesticated dog that people cared for.” PLUS his report on their Humanitarian Outreach Update: “the more Covid-19 restrictions and limitations we faced here in Israel—the more He propelled our ministry work forward, opening new doors, reshaping and readjusting our strategies, while expanding our reach in the process.” He writes about New Opportunities to be a Blessing to our Communities. One such opportunity is “a retiree club for ghetto prisoners, elderly immigrants. They are in desperate need of basic humanitarian aid, as well as housekeeping, furniture and appliances for the club, as well as medical care.” Will you partner with us 

Ron Cantor wrote about an editor almost 30 years ago that rejected him soundly as ever having the potential to be a writer. In this email he shares a few of the acclaimed books he has written in order to bring the message of the GOOD NEWS of Yeshua to people, especially his own Jewish people.  Cantor’s books are Follow His Lead, his soon-to-be book, Sunday Stories: 52 Stories from My Life in Israel, and of course, a release of a special 10th Anniversary Edition of Identity Theft: Reloaded. Also in the final works is a book called Colliding Kingdoms. Ron writes, “I long for my people to know who He really is! Would you consider making a year-end donation or becoming a monthly partner?”

The Katzir Youth Camp just wrapped up recently and this recap lets us know “A lot of kids are talking about feeling alone—a cavernous loneliness.” [I’m sure it is indicative of many young people at this time]. Joel Jelski write they are seeing 2 significant things happening: “a hunger for fellowship after a long time of disconnection” and “a spiritual hunger for the Lord and the youth know that the Katzir camp is a place where they can count on being strengthened and renewed spiritually.”  They are beginning to get feedback from the teens who attended the camp who arrived feeling depressed and not comfortable being around people or letting anyone love on them, to being filled with hope at how many people came to talk and pray with them. One spoke of “developing social anxiety” and went from feeling rejected and unloved to meeting God in the camp and knowing they are loved and accepted. What price can we put on changing lives like that? Well here is one price that can be paid: the ministry needs a ministry van and their goal is to raise $48,000 for it so it can be used to serve the three annual youth camps each year. Maybe you would like to help them with a Special Year End Gift for the YOUTH of ISRAEL 

The weekly prayer letter from Maoz ministries written by Shani Ferguson is always exceptionally spiritually insightful . Read it here: Israelis and Christmas. She writes about how – crazy as it sounds – “more and more Israelis” are being drawn to “not only ‘entering churches’ but learning about the birth story of our Messiah—the one their culture has taught them to despise. Imagine what an impact this could have on peoples’ lives! What if the seeds planted in those peoples’ lives take root?” Shani prays: “You are the Father of Light and the greatest storyteller of all. You have promised that Your people will be not only the source of salvation, but that all of Israel shall be saved. You said that the Jews will be provoked to jealousy which will lead to their salvation. (Romans 11:14) Let it be so. Let Your spirit ignite a spark inside every Israeli visiting those celebration sites. Let the interest of Israelis in the Christmas holiday lead them to Yeshua rather than the commercialized side. May the word about Your salvation be planted in their hearts and may it bear fruit for years to come.” AMEN & AMEN!
     Shani also prays through Psalm 23. You can pray along too.

Zvi Randelman writes: Here again is a short video of the Beit Hesed Messianic senior living facility being raised up in the Jerusalem area. With many pioneers of the faith reaching old age, there is an urgent need! We would welcome donations as well as sharing this video. WEBSITE

Lastly, Succat Hallel founders Rick and Patricia Ridings share a prophetic direction for 2022.

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 Ronit Bender who wrote:  I came yesterday shocked from my cardiologist. He told me I will need to go to hospital Rambam for 10 days and longer, to do a Cardiac Catheterization, double Bypass surgery and replace 2 valves. I will know the date next week I hope.  Will let you know. Thanks for praying.  | Pray for 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.  Silvers: David's knees and Josie's back pain | 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.

"The Lord is for me among those who help me." Psalm 118:7
Thank you for donating to my ministry if it is a blessing to you.


New PayPal Donation INFO Please update your information: On Pay Pal search for ArrowsDDiorio@protonmail.com 
or just use 
paypal.me/donnadiorio1

                       DO NOT USE MY FORMER PAYPAL ACCOUNT
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.




Friday, December 10, 2021

We Don’t Celebrate for Nothing! | Arrows from Zion | 12 10 2021

 We don’t celebrate Yeshua in Hanukkah and Christmas for nothing! What the entrance of the Light of the world brought us is beyond any comparison to any other blessings any person who ever lived might have. That is why I was so thrilled to read the amazing testimony from the Tiferet Yeshua congregation in Tel Aviv, called Raised from the Ruins. In so many ways I was reminded of Jan 6, 2012 when our grandson, Karl was rear-ended on a Dallas freeway as his car was sputtering running out of gas. He had such a severe traumatic brain injury he was not expected to gain consciousness, then when he did, to never regain mental and physical function. It was a true miracle recovery and when he had recovered enough to do it a year and a half later, he wanted to be baptized. He knew God had saved and preserved his life. That was worth more than any present ever. The Tiferet Yeshua testimony from Menny is one of those undeniable miraculous acts of God too.

A Powerful Testimony: Raised from the Ruins
by Tamar Afrait, Tiferet Yeshua in Tel Aviv


Moti and Kosta with Menny, a new creation in Yeshua

This is a story about Menny, a very special person who joined Tiferet Yeshua over the summer. Recently after one of our services, Menny walked up to Debby, Tiferet Yeshua secretary, and asked her, “Debby, how do you know Yeshua is alive? I know He is alive because He raised me from the dead. But how do you know He’s alive?”
     Over the summer we shared the amazing story of how Menny first reached out to us. He was looking for a specific English-speaking church in the area, but somehow God led him to us, a Hebrew-speaking congregation of Jewish believers instead.

     When Menny first showed up at Tiferet Yeshua, he told Kosta in Hebrew, “I am a Christian now because I believe in Yeshu the Christian”. The name “Yeshu” in Hebrew is a derogatory one given to Him by the rabbis. Menny had never heard His real Hebrew name. He also did not know that there were other Jewish followers of Yeshua. Since he first reached out to us, we have had the privilege of getting to know Menny and to hear his amazing testimony. 

     Menny often says, “What happened to me is not normal.” We agree, but we serve an amazing God who sometimes uses extraordinary circumstances and experiences to reveal Himself to us, like he did with Menny.

     The day Menny died | After his military service in the IDF, Menny took a trip to the US and ended up staying for good. In November 2014, Menny was a married father of five children, working in real estate and construction when he started renovations on an old Victorian building he had bought. The building had been damaged in a fire, but inspections had found the building structurally sound for renovation. While Menny was working over a high gable on the second floor, that section of the building collapsed, and Menny plummeted 30 feet and was then buried under the building debris. After being airlifted to a nearby hospital, his medical records show that he had no signs of life upon arrival. After they succeeded to resuscitate him, they began the fight for his life.
     For over a year Menny was in a coma. The way Menny describes it: “My head was smashed apart. My whole right side is filled with titanium because my bones shattered from the fall.” Menny woke up from the coma after a year and a half and had to begin intensive physiotherapy to relearn how to do everything. At least, that is what they told him, because he barely remembers those first couple years after he woke up from the coma. During that time, Menny could not speak. He was relearning how to swallow, feed himself, to walk.   
     Eventually, the doctors determined that Menny had significant brain damage and sent him to a nursing home. Somewhere along the line Menny started speaking again. It was then he started to share his experience, where he had gone and the person he had met—the reason why he was still alive.

     “Your name is not in this book” | When Menny tells his story, he starts with a caveat, “Listen, I know I have problems.” What he means is that it not as easy for him to speak as it used to be, and sometimes he can’t find the right word. But one thing is for sure: his memory is crystal clear. We found  local newspaper accounts of the building collapse which mention Menny by name and his injury, and all the details he remembers are exact.
     While Menny was in the nursing home, a woman minister from a local church who volunteered there started taking walks with Menny as part of his physical therapy routine. She told him it was a miracle that he was still alive. He then told her the real story of his miracle:
     “When I died, I went up into the universe, into the next world. It wasn’t a dream. I came to a man who had an open book on a stand in front of him. I approached him and told him, ‘My name is Menny Mor. Where do I go?’ The man just looked at me. I knew he was the one who was supposed to tell me where to go. So, I ask him again, ‘Where do I go? To the left or to the right?’ Then he said to me, ‘You are not written in this book. I am sending you back to where you came from.’”

     Menny thought that the man he saw could not be God because no one can see God and live. But he also knew that the man he interacted with had authority and that he saved Menny’s earthly life by sending him back again.  The minister who accompanied Menny on these walks told him the identity of the man he had met: Jesus, the Son of God. The Messiah. The way, the truth and the life. To Menny it made perfect sense: if anyone wants to go the Father, they must go through this man, Jesus, to whom was given all authority. As the minister continued to share about this Jesus with Menny, that He was a personal friend and savior, Menny gave his heart to Him and discovered that His presence was with him all the time.

     A Miraculous Recovery and Call back to Israel | Despite the doctor’s assessment that Menny had serious brain damage, he kept improving and he was able to speak again. Before long, Menny’s son who had come to visit him said, “Abba, we have to get you out of here! You don’t belong here.”
     Menny left the nursing home and continued improving. He started driving again after passing a three-hour test of his mental fitness. His faith in the Jesus who had saved him continued strong too, and he told his family all about it. Needless to say, they told him to stop talking nonsense. They told him, “That’s your brain damage talking!”
     Menny stayed in touch with the Christian minister who volunteered at the nursing home, and she encouraged Menny to go back to Israel: “God gave the Land to your people. That is where you belong.” So, after forty years in America, Menny returned to Israel a very different man.

     Learning the Hebrew Name of His Savior | After Menny returned to Israel, his minister friend continued to stay in touch and disciple him. After the covid restrictions in Israel were eased, she encouraged him to get connected with a local church. She sent him the name of an English-speaking Lutheran church in the area, but the number she sent him was our number instead. It seems that God wanted Menny to get to know the Jewish identity of His Savior and to learn His Hebrew name, Yeshua.

     I talk to Yeshua all the time | For someone who has gone through so much suffering, you would never know from Menny’s attitude. He is happy, has a great sense of humor, is outgoing and is full of life. He also shines the light of Yeshua. “I talk to Yeshua all the time,” he says, “When I’m walking, at night when I can’t sleep. I talk to Him and ask Him to help me.”

     It is clear that Menny has a very special and deep connection with the Lord Yeshua through his experience after the accident, but Menny is also growing in the depth and understanding of His faith, getting to know the Jewish side of His Savior by reading the New Testament. Last week Menny decided that he wanted to make a declaration of his faith in water immersion, accompanied by pastors from Tiferet Yeshua leadership team and other friends. A week later, we asked him how he feels: “I feel new, like if I think about the future there is nothing that upsets me. Just peace.”

 


12/3/21  Gil & Tamar Afriat, lead pastor
Tiferet Yeshua in Tel Aviv
https://www.tiferetyeshua.org/ email tiferetcontact@gmail.com
Facebook @tiferetyeshuacongregation
Donation info online

The Culture Came First... | by Gil Afriat | ...and then the foreign gods followed. While our focus during the holiday of Hanukkah is the victory of the Maccabees over the Greek army and their cleansing of the Holy Temple, this holiday offers us some interesting insights if we ask the right questions. A good question to ask might be, "What led to the attack and takeover of the Holy Temple by the Greeks?"  Read more online


Arrows from Zion
Summarized from the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests Israeli Ministries

Another truly exceptional word came from Avner Bosky which you can rean on David’s Tent. It is called Keep your eyes on the prize. Avner takes us through the ages when God’s people were “holding on” in the face of oftentimes traumatic oppression.  He recognizes that many of us feel the same way about the things in the world that are staring us down right now…but Avner brings out the redemptive purposes of God that we can count on as we hold on to His promises.

Evan Levine of HaTikvah Project also sees the need to speak a word for those of us feeling swamped: “Let’s not Give Up!”  Our partners have found that although they thought they were helping someone else, they experienced a blessing themselves when they gave. Watch this on Vimeo & be inspired at the impact of your giving.

Liat Archer sends a report on their Katzir (Harvest) youth camp last week at (wow! What a subject line: I Almost Stopped Believing in God!). But that is what one  young believer said before the camp and afterwards said, “Now I know God is Real!"  What was the turnaround? When Liat came to him and asked to pray for him, “I was shocked. When she prayed, it was as if she knew exactly what I was feeling and going through in my life. Every word she prayed was right on. I was asking myself; how can she know all these things about me? Then I understood that God is real and knows me!"  Liat writes, “Young people in Israel struggle greatly with identity issues, pressures and so much more. They are in desperate need of godly mentors. We are excited about fathering and mothering young people into their God given identity and calling. We also tremble before the Lord when we consider the responsibility and urgent need. Would you help us reach more young adults and disciple more leaders by sharing a gift with our ministry?

Another quite exceptional word from Shani Ferguson of Maoz Ministries: Prayers Concerning Light, Darkness and Brokenness | “Permission to be broken” was the phrase that came to me when I considered the prayer points for this week. At first, it didn’t seem to fit the motif of typical December holiday musings. But the truth is, whether you celebrate Hanukkah or Christmas, if you’ve had enough Decembers in your life, you’ve likely had at least one or two that did not turn out like you wanted. What makes an emotionally difficult December even more difficult is feeling like it is supposed to be a good month. After all, everyone else is having an awesome December, right?  Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is near to the broken-hearted.”

Arni Klein sends a word out that really captures the anguish of looking at the state of things in each of our nations right now. This is what was meant in the pregnant statement by the apostle Peter about how God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrha “and delivered just Lor, vexed with the filthy manner of life of the wicked. That’s where we are and Arni says it well. But, Arni writes, what is God’s purpose in all this? “God has two basic goals: to glorify His Name and to bring forth a fitting Bride for His Son. Everything He does begins and ends with His longing for a dwelling place in the midst of His children. His plan and process has been in effect from the beginning. It began with the manifestation of light…spiritual truth.. .. Only truth and transparency in the inward parts will prepare a dwelling place for the Lord. As some have lamented the current crisis as causing division among brethren, we see the hand of God at work to expose division that had not been visible until the current pressure brought it out.” He writes, “....We are hoping and praying that there will be a window between events and that Father will give us a few more hours to work before the night comes. On this point we have an unction to pray and plead with the Lord imagining His response to be, “If I give you time, what will you do with it?”

From the Revive Israel Tikkun Global Team, RITG Executive Director Ariel Blumenthal shares his story of why he came to Israel, to Jerusalem specifically in following what the Holy Spirit was showing him was his own purpose in playing a part of Isaiah 58:12 : “Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; You will raise up the age-old foundations; And you will be called the repairer of the breach, The restorer of the streets in which to dwell."  Read it here: Why Jerusalem

From Israel Pochtar who leads the Beit Hallel congregation and Voice of Judah outreach ministries, Video & Article Hanukkah — A Window of Opportunity for the Gospel in Israel , also read Bringing Back Christmas to Israel | Plus Let the Little Children come to Me Outreach Praise Report — Hanukkah and Pastor Yacov Koifman  in a Article & Video Empowering Israeli Youth through Spiritual Authority.  | Now is the Time to Bless Israel with Year-End Giving

A good year end report from Daniel and Shirya Yahav in Tiberias at the (Face of God) Peniel Fellowship. The struggles were many last year with constantly changing capacity restrictions, but they found a place in the forest where they could meet relatively alone. “This  year  we  have  had  the  privilege  to  welcome  at  least  seven  new  families  who  have joined  the  fellowship,  and  seem  to  have  integrated  very  well.   We  have  also  seen  a growing  attendance  in  the  young  adults  group  as  well  as  in  the  youth  group.  In  the  last youth  meeting  there  were  over  fifty  youth  present,  and  that  was  not  all  of  them.  We praise  God  also  for  several  young  people  who  made  a  personal  decision  to  follow  the Lord  and  we  had  the  joy  to  celebrate  their  water  immersion  lately.  One of them even invited his unbelieving relatives to join the occasion. Many among us have unbelieving relatives who have been witnessed to. We would appreciate your prayers for all of those, to come  to know  their  Messiah  and  be  freed  from  the  fear  of  men and  from  deep  rooted misconceptions about Yeshua our Messiah.” There are many more good reports in this congregation, but we will leave you with this:  Shabbat services and short teachings with a translation into German, can be found at the Peniel website and on our YouTube channel   We wish you a blessed and peaceful Christmas season, and the grace and blessing of the Lord for the coming Year 2022! 

Ron Cantor of Messiah’s Mandate sent this testimony from Eitan Shishkoff about what great things were done with the Messiah’s Mandate donation towards the Katzir Youth camp. (Helping each other is such a critical demonstration of love and commitment). Eitan wrote: "During an amazing week, we hosted 85 teens from all over Israel at our summer conference. We chose the theme “connected” because for the year and a half of Covid19 young people had suffered from isolation and disconnection. Our prayer was that they could reconnect with God and each other in deep and meaningful ways. This happened in the stark beauty of Israel’s desert, where our Patriarchs experienced God’s transforming presence.
    "The high point, on the last evening, was an incredible breakthrough and a real outpouring of the Spirit. The speaker asked who felt lonely or isolated. Slowly, many young men and women raised their hands. They stood in a circle, surrounded by the prayers and love of their peers. What normally would have been a brief prayer turned into a solid hour of ministry with intense healing and restoration for many teens. In His love for these youth, the Lord brought emotional and spiritual healing and renewal. It was a fresh beginning that continues to impact all who were there." Shalom, Eitan
     Ron writes, “As we end this amazing year, would you please consider making a one-time tax-deductible donation to Messiah’s Mandate or becoming a monthly sponsor? We want to keep investing in the Kingdom of Yeshua in Israel, helping to raise up the next generation of believers.” 

David and Josie Silver send a family update and David’s usual video updates: Midweek Update Video 12/7  & The Relevance of Hanukkah Video Update 12/3. They also sends thanks for those who sent a a personal gift to assist with the cost of our move to the new apartment. David’s knee and Josie’s back continue to be areas of healing prayer request, but Stefan and Keren, and Jordan and Limor (their sons & their wives & families (Limor is expect her first) are all doing well.  For David, travel has been out since covid hit in 2020, but they continue to reach out in the nations to minister via Zoom & video updates. They write “we continue to stand in faith as the world shaking events become more frequent and more intense…. Next year may prove to be unlike any of us have experienced in our lives, but GOD is good and He will watch over, protect and provide for those who are in covenant with Him, through the precious blood of His only begotten Son, Yeshua our Messiah and soon coming King.” Learn more at their website 

Chuck Cohen of Intercessors for Israel sends out his Watchmen from Jerusalem email (read online.  “As we race towards the end of another year, the world is racing towards its final destiny with God – and for most of humanity, that will not end well. . . . For those who trust in the Lord Yeshua, we must keep our eyes on Him (Heb. 12:2) and recognize that so much of what is happening today has been prophesied to take place in the days leading up to His return (Isa. 55:11; Jer. 1:12; Luke 24:44). 
     Also read Friday Prayer Points 12/3/2021

Guy Cohen who leads the Acco Harvest of Asher congregation writes about Yeshua’s Timing. Many times in our lives we feel discouraged and hopeless. We turn our eyes to our Lord for His redemption. We ask, "Where are you and why aren't you here? When will you answer?" That line of thinking often brings us to discouragement. Let us dive into the story told in John 11. “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.” John 11:11.  One of things that really encouraged me personally about Guy’s teaching is his understanding that “Even within our faith there are borders; lines drawn in our understanding. For example, Martha understood Lazarus would rise again in the resurrection at the last day. However, it was beyond the foundation of her knowledge and hence ability to comprehend by faith that the one standing in front of her, Yeshua, He is the resurrection and the life.”
     Miriam, in the midst of her travail was full of the questions. Even Miriam, the sister so preferred as an spiritual example, had her own borders of understanding. Guy talks about how we cannot be stalled out by grief – we have to look forward with hope and purpose for the future.

Christian Arab Rania Sayegh of the House of Prayer and Exploits in Nazareth sends a video with highlights from the HOPE's New Building Dedication 22nd November.  If you can make a year-end donation to HOPE, they would greatly appreciate funds donated toward their new building. Rania writes that the ministry “mobilizes prayer and worship in Israel and the nations. We train and equip young people through weekly meetings and annual conferences, reaching several hundred young adults per year. We also train approximately 1000 women leaders in the land with regular gatherings and events. HOPE reaches thousands in the nations through speaking engagements, conferences, Zoom calls and social media. Each month, HOPE hosts 24 hours of prayer together with the weekly worship and prayer watches. Since the end of 2019, HOPE has experienced 424 creative miracles and seen many people healed and delivered. “
     Also among critical prayer requests Rania asks for intercession for Nazareth which “has been facing times of strife in recent days caused by two feuding families. One young man was killed then houses were burnt in the revenge acts. The area affected is very close to where the first HOPE prayer house is located. Please join us in praying for God's comfort for those who have lost loved ones, that this cycle of revenge will stop and that there will be reconciliation and forgiveness. Also pray for healing and righteousness to rule in the city.” 

Avi Mirachi of Dugit ministries asks, “How Will They Hear?” He relates it to Luke 5:3 when Yeshua asked to preach in Peter’s dugit – little fishing boat – out on the water so people could hear Him from the land. Such an excellent example of why they are asking for donations for their out Dugit Outreach, for the purchase of around $47,000 USD to upgrade audio equipment.  “Our current sound equipment is outdated and severely underpowered, and some of the pieces are no longer repairable.” It “has become difficult for all of our members and visitors who attend to hear well during our services.”  The new audio equipment would also be used for “our weekly worship services, online streaming, conferences, digital videos, outdoor events, youth ministry, street ministry, musical outreaches, and other programs that reach the Jewish people with the Good News of Messiah.” Help Israelis hear the Good News with a gift.

Norma in Jerusalem returns from travel with a new blog post called Thankful heart. She writes, “I am convinced that there is a sound of thanksgiving. Sing to the Lord with Thanksgiving (Psalm 147:7) Now would our song sound differently if we merely sang out of obligation?” 

Asher Intrater and Ron Cantor collaborate on an article called, the Mystery of the Hanukkah Menorah. If you missed the Zoom meeting last week with believers across the world (led by Asher and David Demian) you can watch the replay: His Glory Fills the House | Also the REPLAY Festival of Lights Revive Israel Global Broadcast from last week.

The Tree of Life ministries led by Ariel and Shayla Hyde are heavily involved in prayer and practical ministry outreach to save babies from abortion. That is why they called a prayer event for the reversal of Roe v. Wade (the verdict is still not in from the Supreme court, so replaying this event will help you pray for it). They write, “This battle is raging not just in the US, but also in Israel. Just yesterday, Israel’s Health Minister announced that he’s introducing legislation and multiple measures to remove virtually all barriers to abortion in Israel (even though the government already pays for them and 40,000 take place every year!).” Please join them in prayers. 

Kehila News Israel  links| “Brit Olam” – Everlasting Covenant, the First Hebrew Chronological Bible by Bible Society Staff | VIDEO with Wendy Cohen teaching on Hanukkah Blessings | From the Fellowship of Artists, a video featuring a traditional Hanukkah song, Maoz Zur 

Lastly, Evan Thomas and Lev Guler give the year end report on the Beit Asaph congregation in beautiful seaside Netanya. “We commend to you these power-filled words of promise and exhortation (Isaiah 59:20, 21 and Is 60:1-3)  as we complete this extraordinary year. These same two passages formed the basis of my last sermon for the year to the Beit Asaph community. The Christian symbols of the Advent candles and the Jewish symbol of the Hanukkiah – both holding prophetic significance.
     They report the weekly life groups system and a monthly celebration service has worked out very well to preserve the congregation in the midst of Covid through the past two years. “Children are born and young couples push ahead with weddings. We have celebrated five during this past year…” Also, “Two years ago as we flew to NZ for a three-month break (supposedly) we agreed to return and begin the process of forming a team of pastoral advisors. These younger men and women would provide wise support for Lev and Evan and in time, future pastor(s) could potentially emerge. Of course Covid interrupted this process as other priorities took over. Now, finally the team has been formed and is taking its first steps…and it is wonderful! Please keep the two David’s, Olga and Georgi in prayer for us. We are extremely fortunate to have such gifted people serving alongside us in the Beit Asaph community.  We finish the year, tired but very grateful for daily grace. Nothing is taken for granted and every good thing, no matter how small, brings us joy. God willing, we will fly to NZ on December 31 via Dubai.”  God speed.

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 Ronit Bender who wrote:  I came yesterday shocked from my cardiologist. He told me I will need to go to hospital Rambam for 10 days and longer, to do a Cardiac Catheterization, double Bypass surgery and replace 2 valves. I will know the date next week I hope.  Will let you know. Thanks for praying.  | Pray for 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.  Silvers: David's knees and Josie's back pain | 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.

"The Lord is for me among those who help me." Psalm 118:7
Thank you for donating to my ministry if it is a blessing to you.

New PayPal Donation INFO Please update your information: ArrowsDDiorio@protonmail.com or paypal.me/donnadiorio1
DO NOT USE MY FORMER PAYPAL ACCOUNT
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.

 

 

Thursday, December 2, 2021

“A Testimony in the Traditions” | Arrows from Zion | 12 2 2021

At that time the Feast of Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter,
 and Jesus was walking in the temple courts in Solomon’s Colonnade.
John 10:22-23

Hanukkah has begun, it is the Feast of Dedication and Jesus also went to the temple during the holiday. Looking deeper into where these verses took place, I learned some new things this past Sunday morning — some details that I never knew and some words in scripture that had just never jumped out at me before. One of the things that I learned is that the side of Solomon’s Porch where Yeshua often went to teach that Feast of Dedication day is the east side, the way Ezekiel 10:18-19 says the glory will enter to fill God’s temple.  
     It was Yeshua’s practice to teach this area of Solomon’s Porch and He made it a point to teach there during Feast days: “His teaching on these occasions often started from some familiar temple scene--the libations of water carried by the priests to be poured upon the altar (John 7:37), the proselytes (Greeks even) in the great portico (John 12:20), etc. Of course Jesus, not being of the priestly order, never entered the sanctuary; His teaching took place in the several courts open to laymen, generally in the "treasury" (see John 8:20).” *
source 1
     After Yeshua ascended into Heaven, the Apostles also made it their habit to teach in the same area, in the eastern side of Solomon’s porch. This is where the lame man was healed at the "door .... called Beautiful" and a multitude of people in the temple ran together to Solomon’s Porch after word of the healing spread (Acts3:11). In Luke 24:53, he reports the disciples "were continually in the temple, blessing God,
and after Pentecost (Acts 2:46), "day by day, continuing stedfastly .... in the temple." *source 1
     This entryway to the Temple was open for everyone and everyone passed through to get where they were going.  Anyone could come there to learn and to teach. It was not the “royal portico” of Solomon’s Porch that was for the king but a common area. Elsewhere were places only priests enter, areas that women were confined to and other areas where Gentiles could gather, as you can see above there are two very large areas for Gentiles. But the eastern portico of Solomon’s Porch was where everyone entered through it to get to the area they were supposed to go. Yeshua has always been for everyone.
     When I began to write this it because I was considering how light is the main theme of both Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication and also of Christmas. I was not at all focused on the Maccabees, but on the portions we see in the Gospels about Yeshua being the Light.  In John 9 and continuing in 10:21-24 many things began to jump out at me as relevant to people seeing the Light of the LORD in the future.
     In John 9 Jesus had healed a blind man and it created huge controversy. Then in John 10 the controversy breaks out again at the Feast of Dedication. Yeshua continues to be accused of being an insane, demon-possessed man. We are often thought to be crazy for our beliefs, but Yeshua said the servant is not above the Master. If they hated Him, they will hate us too.
     It reminded me of the place that Messianic Jews have been standing alone in Israel, and of the place Christians are standing in their nations at this time. We are hated, and it is our faith that we are hated for, truth be known.  But in John 10:21 we find that whatever false accusations are leveled, it is worth enduring for the sake of those who be able to see the Light because we endure in His integrity.
     See what some in the crowd said of Yeshua in verse 21: "But others replied, “These are not the words of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
     22 At that time the Feast of Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple courts in Solomon’s Colonnade.  24 So the Jews gathered around Him and demanded, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
     Of course, He had told them plainly, but they couldn’t believe Him. As strange as it seems to us, God’s mysterious plan was not for “all Israel” to be saved at that time, but in our time – after the courts of the Gentiles have been filled up, and the glory of the LORD returns to give Light to the blind in Israel. It has begun and will continue to increase Jews from spiritual blindness and Gentiles in the nations too.

  The Feast of Dedication seems to me to be directly connected to the opening of spiritually blind eyes in Israel. I don't know, maybe the twinkling lights of Christmas trees carry the same message among the Gentiles. I know I had a growing desire over the last week and a half to put up a Christmas tree something we have not done in many years. I believe now it was the Holy Spirit prompting me to do it. Jesus is surely the Light of the World, the Light that is revealed to both Jew and Gentile. We are so close to His revealing, and we are part of His revealing in our own lives reflecting His light.

     A key part of the Christmas story is told in Luke when Mary and Joseph bring Yeshua into the temple according to the instruction of Moses, for the "redemption of the first born."  It is the dedication to the Lord of the first born male that is done 40 days after birth. We are among the many who have been made part of the family of God because Yeshua is “the firstborn of many brethren.”  He was the firstborn of the reborn.
     In Luke 2:25-35 is where
the prophet Simeon recognized a baby only weeks old was God's Messiah. That was supernatural. No one could see a newborn and detect a Messiah in swaddling. Simeon prophesied over Yeshua with joy because he saw what natural eyes could not see. He saw the Light had entered to be dedicated as the Torah required of the firstborn son.

     For me, the Feast of Dedication and Christmas are both spiritual events that point to the Way, the Truth and the Life. Many miss it focusing on other distracting things, but I want to re-dedicate myself in this season to the plans and purposes of God in Messiah Yeshua, Christ Jesus - that His Light may so shine that all will be drawn to it.
     On the morning I first began to write this article forming in my spirit, I received notice of the online Zoom event with Revive Israel and Watchmen for the Nations called, “HIS GLORY FILLS THE HOUSE” on December 6th at 5 AM PST/ 3 PM IST to worship our King on
Facebook page and YouTube channel.
It was the expectation of God filling His House with His glory that jumped out at me, and it was a confirmation to me of what I had been writing.
     Then the following morning I received Jonathan Cahn's email of the significance of Christmas and Hanukkah being celebrated in the darkest time of the year while we are celebrating out traditions of the light coming into darkness.
     Today, the third day of writing, I began to read through the Israeli Ministry letters I would include this week and read Howard Bass' great article,
A Greater than Maccabees has Come. He had many things in it that resonated with me, but one thing Howard wrote changed the title of this issue. He wrote, “God has left for Himself a testimony in the traditions of His people.”
     All of us, Messianic Jew and Gentile Christians, everything about our celebrations of the Light of the world, Messiah Yeshua/Jesus Christ are not right, but God surely has left for Himself a testimony in the traditions of His people.  This is a glorious confirmation to me that God is speaking this message to us today.  Let us embrace God’s witness in our traditions – it is for Himself …and it is for us. If we will receive this, it will help us embrace each other too and not let different traditions be a wedge issue between us.


Arrows from Zion
Summarized from the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests Israeli Ministries

Howard Bass of the Yeshua’s Inheritance congregation in Beer Sheva writes an excellent article on Hannukkah called,
A Greater than Maccabees has Come.  As I wrote above, when I read his article, it changed the title of this issue of Arrows because I thought it was so profound in what he saw in the flawed traditions of both Hannukah and Christmas — not the things that believers have argued over, but the beautiful vision that God has preserved for Himself “a testimony in the traditions of His people.” What a giant leap forward for the whole body of the LORD to see and appreciate this truth!  I urge you to read Howard’s article at his website

Monday/Dec 6 Don’t miss the His Glory Fills the House online event to worship the King as one Global Family. This event is from Revive Israel (Asher Intrater) & Watchmen for the Nations (David Demian) and will be available in 14 languages. TIMES: 10:00pm Japan and Korea | 9:00pm the Hong Kong and Beijing | 8:00pm Jakarta | 4:00pm Moscow | 3:00pm Jerusalem and Cairo | 2:00pm Europe | 1:00pm UK | 8am New York | 7am Dallas |5am Los Angeles. Watch on Revive Facebook or Watchman YouTube.

From Israel Pochtar in Ashdod, “Give the gift of critical humanitarian aid” Blessing Israel this Giving Tuesday and Hanukkah. Did you know “Hanukkah in Hebrew means dedication” – because I didn’t! Learn more in The Deeper Meaning of Hanukkah. Also, video on location Supernatural Provision from the Galilee with Pastor Israel, and about the end of the year Fire-Up Youth Conference in Haifa

In the Out of Zion reports from David and Josie Silver, one issue contained the article of their son, Stefan Silver who is one of the associate pastors at the Kerem-El (God’s Vineyard) congregation up in the Carmel region. Stefan wrote on A Time of Rededication” how the temple in Jerusalem was rededicated after great defilement by anti-God oppression and the folklore that rose from the rededication of miracle provision of oil. In this day we live in the midst of anti-God oppression and could use come re-dedication ourselves, but the oil available to us is a true miracle, and a free gift from God through the Messiah. Stefan writes, “ Yet we are called to stand for what is right, holy, just and pure and to shine the light of Messiah. John wrote that the darkness cannot overcome the light, and as the darkness grows darker, every light, even the dimmest of them, will shine brighter. When people are in darkness and they see a light, one of two things will happen; they will either be drawn to it and want it to illuminate them, or they will want to put it out at all costs because it exposes and interferes with their schemes. As the end of another unstable and difficult year draws to a close, this is a perfect time to allow the light and love of Messiah to fill your life anew. Take this opportunity to allow His light to illuminate any darkness in your life and even rededicate it to him.”
     Also, you can watch
David Silver’s 11/23 Friday Video Update . Your donations to the Silver’s ministries would be greatly appreciated. Learn more at the website

Ron Cantor of Messiah’s Mandate writes
7 Thoughts about Christmas from a Messianic Jew—Part 1. He also shares the vision of continuing to press the envelope with ShelanuTV: 161,000 views inside of Israel of our testimony show, where Israelis share their stories of finding Yeshua | We’ve sent out 140 Hebrew New Testaments (some going to rabbis who asked!) and 127 copies of my novel Identity Theft | Our evangelists are interacting daily with Israelis online | We’ve produced nearly a dozen new TV shows!  And there’s more to be done! In 2022 we want to: Add more evangelists and team members | Invest more in advertising Shelanu to Israelis (we start airing The Chosen in December!) | And produce more anointed Hebrew content!
     One other thing: In 2020 he felt “God wanted Messiah’s Mandate to double our budget and help the hurting in Israel.” So they did and have since “built bomb shelters, provided food to Holocaust survivors, given to those who lost their jobs because of coronavirus, helped Messianic Jewish families in need and we have supported Messianic pastors and their congregational needs.”
Your gift could help do even more in 2022.

Eric Benson of the House of Victory ministers to men who have been trapped in addictions. This is a hard work but to snatch some of the men from the fire and set them on the Rock is what makes it all worthwhile. Eric writes about how we are “temples of the living God" dedicated to the Lord. “Psalm 27 declares that “in the day of trouble the Lord shall hide me in His tabernacle.” For each of those whom the Lord has brought to our home, it has been in a time of great personal trouble. Yet these times of crisis can become the moment in the life of every man to begin to inquire of the Lord (Psalm 27:4). It is the opportunity to "seek the Lord while He may be found and to call upon His name" (Isaiah 55:6).  When a man begins to forsake his own ways, the Lord will abundantly pardon him. As each man turns to the Lord and learns to fear His holy name, the Lord promises to reveal His secrets (Psalm 25:14).
     Enjoy this video Eric did : Filming FIRM clip as the sun rises over Mt Carmel as an introduction to their ministry. FIRM is the Fellowship of Israel Related Ministries.

In the spirit of the light of Hanukkah, the elders of the Arad Hebrew congregation, Hasdey Yeshua, writes about banishing the Darkness – from the children, from the Bedouin and all “darkness from the lives of everyone to whom we minister.” They share a traditional “Chanukah song. Its sentiments are good and inspiring but it assumes that if enough of us work together we can banish the darkness in our own strength. Nothing could be further from the truth. In our own strength we can do nothing, but in the Name of Yeshua, and especially when we are in spiritual unity with the body of Messiah, we can truly banish the enemy of our souls. Even though this is a traditional song, sung by children, it ends on a distinctly non-traditional note, “Arise and Shine”, from Isaiah 60. The video is in Hebrew with English subtitles: We Came to Banish the Darkness
   There was one heartbreaking story of one of the Bedouin women they minister to who entrusted her 2 ½ year old child to her sister. When she came back from her errand the child was dead and her neighbors and most of her relatives blame her saying she is a bad mother. She accepted prayer in the name of Yeshua from the minister even though she is Muslim. She is devastated. Pray God will comfort her, show her the Light of the world, and bring her out of truly troubling circumstances. These are impossible places to survive without the LORD.

Orna Grinman has a new blog post on Hanukkah as she prepares for another Tabernacle seminar - offered for the first time in an intensive 9 day format to Hebrew speakers only. Orna’s Tabernacle teachings are anointed and geared toward healing of wounds. She also wrote about a nearby synagogue that in setting up a huge menorah on their roof, unknowingly put the pipes together to hold it in an arrangement that spells out the name of Yeshua in Hebrew! “It immediately birthed a cry in my heart, for their eyes to open and their hearts to speak the Name above all names – the one who IS the true Light. Lord, make it a reality in their hearts.” Little miracles like this speak to me of how God is moving to reveal His Messiah in Israel in such creative ways we cannot begin to imagine. 

Ronit Bender (whose updated health report is below in the Urgent Healing Needs section) write that “it is good to ask ourselves every so often if we are fulfilling all that the Lord wants to do through us.” Amen. An excellent word in this day of re-Dedication.  She writes about a few instances out of her own life “to encourage you to be quick to obey the Lord, even if at the time it makes no sense to you. I was blessed to know I heard right from on High, and I am determent to listen even more carefully in the future. WE ARE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!” 
     She also wrote of an encounter with a young woman she me who was grieving her grandfather’s death in Kazakhstan.  Ronit writes, “those of us who have been called to be Moms and Dads, should take it very seriously. Many in the body of Christ, and of course pre-believers have an orphan spirit, and need a mom or dad to speak into their lives. We all do really.” She asks prayers for the young woman and her friend to come to know the LORD.

The Maoz Ferguson Family and Sorko-Ram’s (the parents/grandparents) send Hanukkah greetings from the Shemen Forest. They write: “Shemen” means oil, and it is near the place of origin of the Maccabean Revolt that resulted in the restoration of the Temple—and the celebration of Hanukkah. But ironically, this place only received its name about a hundred years ago when Jews began returning to Israel and purchased large swaths of land that were considered barren by the local farmers. Apparently, it was worthless land for growing food, but not for growing certain types of trees. Thus, after the words of the prophet Isaiah, the place was named Ben Shemen—a Hebrew phrase for “fruitful.”

     They also write, “Just this past week Maoz and the Israel Bible Society held a special online event for Messianic leaders all over Israel to showcase and gave each of them a free copy of the completed Hebrew Narrated Bible in Chronological order. After three and a half years of focused work we now turn our full attention to completing the Action Bible in Hebrew. If you haven’t heard of the Action Bible and you have kids or grandkids, I highly recommend! Planting a love for God’s Word in the heart of a child is one of the most important things you will ever do. If you HAVE had a chance to witness how much kids love this book, you understand why we are wanting Israeli kids to have this experience as well!” To help Please donate here

I had already put in the request for help from Michael and Dina Beener of the Sderot City of Life congregation for their Hanukkah outreaches: Making poor children happy at Hannukkah and the Hanukkah Blessing outreach – then I got an URGENT prayer request this morning as Religious Persecution Again has risen up against them by the religious in Sderot. “Despite the great help that our foundation provides through the different projects that impact the lives of so many people who depend on our love and service to move forward, a religious sector continues to oppose our presence in the city and tries to make us go away simply because we are not ashamed to openly announce our Faith in Yeshua our Messiah.”  Read more online

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 Ronit Bender who wrote: When seeing my cardiologist a few days ago, I was surprised to find out that I will need to go to hospital for at least ten days to have a cardiac catheterization, double bypass surgery and it seems I need to have my valves changed. When going to book the first part of this adventure, already there was a God intervention, the hospital cardiologist requesting that I will have another echocardiogram and second look at the situation of the valves. Sorting out a date for these is a major drama, so stay tuned! PLEASE PRAY, of course, FOR HEALING FIRST.  However,  if I need to get it done, let's pray that many people will be affected by Yeshua through my hospital visits.  Worse scenario: I will go home to be with the Lord and beat you all to Heaven!  | Pray for 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.  Silvers: David's knees and Josie's back pain | 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.

"The Lord is for me among those who help me." Psalm 118:7


New PayPal Donation INFO Please update your information: ArrowsDDiorio@protonmail.com or paypal.me/donnadiorio1
DO NOT USE MY FORMER PAYPAL ACCOUNT
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.