Friday, October 11, 2024

Arrows 2024 Oct 11 ONE YEAR of SIRENS


One Year Ago Our Life Changed Forever
by Sally Shiff, at HaMayaan congregation

October 7, 2024: I am starting to write this at 6:27 am, four minutes later, 1 year ago our life changed forever. So much has happened since then, and all day, our media will show over and over again the barbarism that came from Gaza.
     I am sure you will get that on your news, however watered down it will be up to the news agency you choose. The biggest question in a simple question is why? Why did it happen? Why now?
     Instead of giving you all the footage of what happened or the testimonies of people who were there and what they went through, I will only give you two brilliant conversations that could answer your questions.    Israel: Past, Present, and Future (Tony Perkins, President of FRC, leads a panel discussion with Michele Bachmann, Daniel Cohen, Gary Hamrick, and Dr. A.J. Nolte at the Pray Vote Stand Summit.) | Israel Wants to Make This the Last War (Melanie Phillips)
    One thing no one has ever said yet...the "never again" we all said after the Holocaust did not hold true because it happened again, last year, October 7, 2023. And if we don't stop them, it will happen again, and again, and again.

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

Joel Jelski of Fields of Wheat leads off this week as Israel observes 1 year since “The worst day in the history of the modern nation of Israel…. except for the shock of the Yom Kippur War in 1973, no other events in our 76-year history can be compared with the brutality and lack of preparedness of October 7. Without a doubt, it is a turning point, a moment where there will be a before and an after. The horrors of October 7 can really only be compared to the horrors of the Holocaust. The stories and testimonies I have heard and read are unspeakable…. I want to encourage you, if you have not read the stories of what took place on October 7, 2023 - please do. Read a few stories and hear some testimonies. If you are praying for Israel, you must know what the people of Israel are going through today. Please connect emotionally with the collective grief and trauma, so that you can participate in the words that God gave Isaiah thousands of years ago, that ring as true today as they did then: "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her" (Isaiah 40:1).
     “…. An expanding war and more military service ahead for me… | After months of waiting, there has been a sharp shift in Israel's approach to Lebanon over the last three weeks….. It is evident now that Hezbollah was preparing for the equivalent of what happened in the south on October 7 to do the same in the villages and cities of northern Israel on a much larger scale. Whatever the world may think, it was clear to us and our leaders that Hezbollah couldn't be allowed to continue with its plans. Drastic measures were needed…. As a result of the ground operation into Lebanon, my tank regiment has been (re)called up earlier than expected. I'm scheduled to be in active duty until December 11. This is good news since I will be available for the Katzir youth camp at the end of December. But our service could get extended. At this time, we don't really know. So, for now, join us in praying for clarity as things unfold so we can make the right decisions concerning the Katzir camp. Please pray for Teresa and my young sons as I have to leave again for an extended time this year.
     Tactical life-saving uniforms for Messianic soldiers – Update Thanks to your generosity, we were able to purchase 100 fire retardant uniforms for combat reserve soldiers…. Currently we need an additional 20 more uniforms ($500 each) to help provide everyone who signed up to get one. Please pray for these soldiers, for protection beyond the uniforms. That God would watch over and protect them and their units as they defend our families and our nation from real and present danger. …. With lasting gratitude for your care and involvement with us.

From Israel Poctar, the evangelistic pastor of Beit Hallel in Ashdod:
WATCH the October 7th Documentary: HOW ISRAEL WAS CHANGED FOREVER  |  When Israelis went to bed on October 6th, they couldn’t possible imagine they would wake up to a reality that would not only shake the very foundations of our nation, but that it would also transform each and every one of us, marking a before and after in our history as a nation, leaving behind a wound that is still bleeding — exactly one year later today.
     There isn’t a single person in Israel that hasn’t been affected by the biggest massacre of Jewish people since the holocaust. As horrified as we all were, there was one big difference between the holocaust and today: God brought us back to our Land, just as He promised, and we needed to stand up and defend ourselves like our future depended on it, because it did.
     The people of Israel united and stood shoulder to shoulder like guardians in a land entrusted to us by God. In a time of war, when most people flee, Israel‘s war had the opposite effect: Israelis started returning in masses back to Israel from all over the world, to defend HOME. Continue reading online and watch the documentary.

Cookie Schwaeber-Issan | AllIsraelNews  in Jerusalem | Available for Zoom Calls for your Israel-interested groups: EMAIL itscook7@gmail.com | Some the Latest : The Fate of Those Who Try to Destroy Israel 10/6 | U.N. Positioning for a One-World Government 10/8 | The Courage Needed to Call Yourself a Zionist 9/30 | We Didn’t Start the Fire 10/3

Ron Cantor of Messiah’s Mandate & ShelanuTV writes, “My wife needs your prayers | It has been the heaviest of years, ending in the October 7th commemoration of the massacre that took place last year.. . . .I want to ask you this week to specifically pray for my wife. Elana carries things much deeper than I do. The October 7th commemoration was incredibly hard on her. She was up most of the night. She deeply loves her nation. Unlike me, she was born in Israel. Hebrew is her native tongue. Whenever they announce a soldier dying, it takes an emotional toll on her. So, this week, I want to ask you to pray specifically for the well-being of her soul. On Tuesday mornings, we pray with several believers in Jerusalem. After Elana shared about some of the things that she is going through, other leaders encouraged us to ask if there were those of you who feel led to pray for us and our family daily…. Please pray for Elana: that she will be free of all traumas from this past year and that her soul will prosper. Please pray for our daughters. Danielle is in Tel Aviv and leads a nonprofit helping those in need from all backgrounds. This year has also been tough on her. Like her mom, seeing people suffer as they did this year is traumatic for her. Yesterday’s ceremonies were particularly hard for her. Our oldest daughter, Sharon, is in America. In addition to helping me, she works in photography and has a small embroidering business. Yael, our middle child, is about to open a restaurant in Richmond called Susie’s, named after her grandmother. It’s a mixture of Moroccan Jewish and European Jewish cuisine. Please pray for all of them, that they would experience the love of Yeshua greatly! They were able to watch the ceremonies online yesterday.
     * DD:  This easily could be a prayer point for all of the women of ministry and the Messianic body in Israel … many are struggling with the emotional burden of it. It is generally true of women that we carry the emotional burdens in life much more heavily than men.

Orna Grinman’s lastest blog post: When We Run Out of Words …  | How can a human mind fathom an enormous disaster? We can’t. No one can really comprehend the burning of 6,000,000 Jews. But then you read one diary of one girl, one Anna Frank, and you can connect to the fear, the helplessness, the level of cruelty.
     How can we comprehend the monstrosity of October 7th? By telling personal stories, small stories, one at a time.  The media in Israel is full of such stories this week, as we ponder and re-ponder the horrors of last year.  I take in as much as I can, and then disconnect myself and take time to process. As much as I can. Well, not sure I can really fully process. But at least I can breathe.
     Anyway, today is about one story that will give you a peek into the bigger picture. Prepare your tissues, and do not forget to breathe. Continue to read in full online at Orna's blog.

From Tikkun Global on 7/10 366 Days Ago—Never Again | Click to play VIDEO |366 Days. Over 100 men, women and children still held in captivity. We call all Christians to observe this day in prayer.
    
From 10/10 Israel has been in a war with Hamas, Hezbollah, and global jihadism for over a year now. Despite the horrible difficulties, God has been incredibly gracious. We have seen miracle after miracle. He is showing His hand in victory as the Lord of Armies.
     Prime Minister Netanyahu has given a new name to the war: Tekuma. This means "rising up" or even "resurrection". It is reminiscent of the call to rise up in the Isaiah 60 "rise and shine" prophecy and the Ezekiel 37 "dry bones" vision. This is the time for believers everywhere to rise up and receive the same heart that David had to be victorious and courageous in battle. This is the heart of Yeshua as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. 
     There is a worldwide witness now demonstrating the power of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. May the heart and anointing for victory that was on David be upon all of us in the name of Yeshua, the Captain of Armies of Heaven! |  The Heart of David for Victory | VIDEO teaching by Asher Intrater
     Family in Trying Times by Eitan Shishkoff  | So, where does this concept come from? What does it mean to be a family? And what are the implications for my life, day to day? . . . .In the beginning was family. God created us male and female and told us to multiply. [A Must Read & Study!]
     What is the World Really Afraid Of? By Ariel Blumenthal

 * Eitan Shishkoff’s article on Family above encourages me to post here what I got as was compiling the Weekly Summary version of Ron Cantor’s request for prayer for his wife. The request set off in me some new understandings on a subject that has been a particular biblical study of mine since the late 1980’s – the different callings by God on men and women according to the Bible. I wrote:
     * DD:  This easily could be a prayer point for all of the women of ministry and the Messianic body in Israel … many are struggling with the emotional burden of it. It is generally true of women that we carry the emotional burdens in life much more heavily than men. This is one of the reasons that 1 Peter 3:7 calls for husbands to understand the term “weaker vessel.Women can have incredible strength, but God created them as the heart of the family – the carrier of the emotional territories of family. Peter said, "Likewise, you husbands, live with your wives with understanding, giving honor unto the wife as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered." Did you catch that: “so that your prayers be not hindered?” How many of our prayers have been hindered by husbands (and wives) failing to understand the differences God created in men and women for the purpose of fulfilling them “being heirs together: of His grace on their life? God created men to be the strength of the family, together each understanding how God created the other is what makes us “heirs together of the grace of life…and our prayers unhindered.” Historically, misinterpreted ideas within Judeao-Christian thinking  of the differences of the roles of men and women (the strength & the heart) are still being brought to perfection by God. (Strength doesn’t mean Bully-boss and the emotional heart doesn’t  mean lacking in smarts or spiritual strength – but that still doesn’t mean men and women in Yeshua function exactly alike!)     

Howard Bass of Nachalat Yeshua (Yeshua’s Inheritance) writes about his personal experience of the “the ballistic missile attack by Iran against Israel.” Comparing the April attack from Iran on non-ballistic, gps guided missiles, he writes: “Last night was much more threatening, and potentially much more destructive.  But God.... He also credits “the amazing defense system Israel has created to deal with different types and speeds of attacks.” Israel’s enemies are at many different lengths from them, so it was a must to develop weapons capable of optimum effectiveness depending on which enemy started war exchange. He wrote that he was at a mid-week house group in an apartment building in another neighborhood of Beer Sheva when “Around 7:30 (19:30), my phone sounded a sound that I had never heard it sound before.  It was from the Home Front Command app, which I have had all this year, but I never heard it before. Our group all went into the bomb shelter on that floor, along with other tenants on that floor.  There were 6 separate siren warnings during the 1/2 hour…. we found out that there was another believer who lives on that same floor!  She goes to a Russian-speaking congregation in the city, and is the sister of one of the elders, whom I know.  Now she, and our host family know each other!  Small world.  Only God....
    Three articles written by Howard Bass on issues related to these Fall Feasts: The New Moon - covered or revealed? | Three New Years | What Time Is It and What Day is Today? |  “May this coming year see many Jews and Christians be in the ingathering of those who already are, or who will yet be, the chosen and elect people of the holy God of Truth and Love, with many more Arabs and other Gentiles filling up their measure in number and in maturity towards the completion of the end-times purposes of the triune God!”

Guy Cohen who pastors Katzir Asher congregation in the town of his own birth, Acco, writes an excellent parallel of Ephesians armor of God and Israel’s defense system. “The three levels of our current defense system are against attack from missiles, rockets and UAV: the Iron Dome, David's Sling and the Arrow defense system - each covering a distance ranging from close range missiles to outside the atmosphere. Currently yet another level is being developed - laser technology, all of this in Israel's defense.
     The armor of God is our spiritual defense system against all that physically and spiritually come against the Believer. The parallel which we can draw between the physical and spiritual defense systems is that they are designed to protect us from attacks coming in every direction and on all levels. The inner attack which believers are at greatest risk of is fear and doubt which destroy faith. This then affects our autoimmune system (faith) which weakens us and can render us defenseless.
     An example of how this works in the physical can be seen when Israel was attacked on October 7, 2023. During the time preceding this attack the Nation of Israel was divided by infighting, attacking each other and weakened due to the autoimmune deficiency caused by the inner conflict. It is when in this condition, either in the natural or spiritual, satan's attack is relentless.
     When we read Paul's words in Ephesians on how to cover ourselves and not allow doubt, fear and worry to enter; we understand that our victory is in the Spirit and we must walk always in the Spirit. We cannot allow doubt to steal our peace.  We then see how on October 7th, after Israel was attacked, the nation began to come together and we showed ourselves to be stronger than anticipated by our enemies because we were one.  May Israel remain unified; standing in strength against her enemies. May we as Believers in Yeshua; covered with the full armor of God; stand strong in the time of battle.”

Reuven Doron has two articles so worth making the effort to link to online: Trumpet Blast | Yom Te'ru'ah — The Mystery of God's Fifth Feast “….we are in a season of restoration after nearly 2,000 years of exile. | YHWH is restoring the people of Israel to the Land of Israel. He is restoring the Land to her early glory and fruitfulness, and is progressively restoring the nation of Israel to His true calling of pointing the nations to Himself whether through good or bad times. As He has promised, “… I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am YHWH,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘when I am hallowed in you before their eyes.’” (Ezekiel 36:23).
     Our Lord is also restoring the Ecclesia Church to her own biblical and authentic foundations and calling as set forth in the Book of Acts. We are living in the blessed “… times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” (Acts 3:21). May we obtain and cultivate the true grace of God to walk uprightly and in the power of His Spirit during this incredible time of human history….” .(Click to read the entire article)
     Also 10/9 The War in Numbers | Your prayers are more valuable than you can imagine.  You will find this article on Reuven’s Facebook page OneNewManCall

Chaim Malespin of the Aliyah Return Center writes, “10/3 Yesterday as I was at my base at the border of Gaza, in the south of Israel, it looked like end of days, stars were falling out of the sky! I have never seen anything like it before in my life. And somehow, after 180+ massive rockets were fired at us from Iran, only one person was killed by this attack. This is nothing short of a miracle.”
    And on 10/6 Chaim writes, “What is the Hebrew word for repentance? | This Friday is the eve of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This is a very important week for Jewish people around the world. In Leviticus 23:27 - 28, Yom Kippur is described as a sacred assembly, a day to deny yourself, present a food offering, and is a Sabbath day. . . . Repentance is a powerful thing. According to the Word of God, it is not just an emotion of remorse or regret. It is much deeper than that. The Hebrew word for repentance is "teshuvah" (תְּשׁוּבָה), which means "to return" or "to turn back"…. Repentance, is not just about avoiding punishment or the assurance of going to heaven. To have our sins wiped away, being cleansed from wickedness, and choosing to walk down the straight and narrow, is about living in God’s presence.”     

Pastor Aleksey Raikhstadt at the Beit Immanuel congregation in Jaffa writes, “These are difficult times our nation is experiencing. . . .We ask for your prayers during the days ahead. Please pray for our soldiers, government leaders, and all civilians facing this threat. May God grant wisdom, courage, and protection to those defending our nation and guide us through these difficult times. May it lead our people to hope and faith in Yeshua. Pray for us to be His light and used by Him to reach our people with the Gospel.” As the congregation joins in the biblical Fall Feasts, Aleksey writes, “We are grateful for Yeshua’s sacrifice, ensuring eternal life for those who believe. Our nation as well as our enemies need His salvation. Even in the difficult days, the Lord continues to work and move in the lives of people and our congregation. . . .Thank you for your continual prayers and support.” He writes that “Seven Baptized into New Life in Yeshua” in their congregation, and reports that “two young adults in our congregation together with other believing young adults from Israel, are spending the next five weeks in India, sharing the Gospel with Israeli backpackers. Pray with them for protection, God's divine intervention, timing, and meaningful and thought-provoking conversations that lead to Salvation.” 
     Lastly, “By the grace of God, we were able to purchase a vehicle for transporting congregational members to services, youth activities, delivering food and necessities to the elderly, assisting in the war effort, and more. We ask for your prayers that the Lord will provide for us the remaining costs to pay off the van. If the Lord lays on your heart to help us cover the remaining costs” GIVE HERE.

I had a very difficult time as I was working with Return from Zion Leon Mazin’s report on the Eagle Project 2024, crying each of the four times I needed to read it in order to prepare it for sharing in the Weekly Summary and Arrows. It brought me to tears reading how this year the program designed for ministering to Messianic IDF soldiers as they come to the end of their active duty, was so needed, effective and restorative. Leon writes, “All of you know that Israel faced a cruel reality on October 7th; many of our finest young people were in the Army and many were called in to reserve service to all the fronts of the war from the North to the South. The need for such a program was huge, we started to see signs of PTSD among young messianic soldiers, and we searched for the right platform to help them.” The Eagle Project was established in 2014 and RTZ works with close and united relationships with Christian friends and partners from Norway and now the USA as well.
     This year RTZ joined hands with STONEWATER Church in Granbury, Texas and took 30 young adults after an active service in the IDF to Texas to achieve the goals of the Project together. SWC provided a great team including educated staff with PTSD specialty with extensive experience working with Christian veterans that served in Iraq and Afghanistan. God brought us this new amazing connection only a few months before the Project (this year) started, all the planning was done through the war.
      God gathered the right people and a good plan, accompanied the process by miracles and wonders and we saw His hand at every step of planning and executing…. After only a week we started to see changes and testimonies of God’s movement inside those young people, they shared their heart about changes only God can make.
     Many of these young people will be back to the service soon, in Gaza, Lebanon and different areas of Israel, but they say, that they are ready, God changed them and healed, God renewed and taught them and I'm sure they are going to fight the good fight also in the spiritual world as they did and will do in the physical one. Please pray for these people, as individuals. They need your spiritual covering, not only to survive, but to grow and prosper, to build God's Kingdom in Israel and worldwide.
    *DD:  There are widespread reports of PTSD among those in active duty. Pray for God to pour out on those all those suffering from the traumatic things they have seen and experienced.

Rania Sayegh, Christian Arab prophetic intercessor in Nazareth at HOPE, writes wishing happy holidays to all who are celebrating the Biblical Fall Feasts. Rania writes, “We would also like to invite you to partner with us in this unique opportunity to sow during the Days of Awe, funds which will be used toward our prayer seminars, women and youth prayer gatherings in the House of Prayer for this year. Our goal is to raise $15,000 within the next few months. To partner with our growing ministry, full donation information on our website.  We value you and your partnership as it propels forward with strength in all that the Lord has for us and our people in this strategic season! Thank you for sowing a seed into Nazareth! We are grateful for you standing with us, as we contend for God's promises for Israel and the nations!
     You can follow HOPE on Instagram at Hope_nazareth to watch videos from our daily prayer and worship meetings at the House of Prayer during the war. Look at the highlights under "The War Cry" | We also have a HOPE YouTube Channel you can subscribe to.

Carolyn & Richard Hyde at Heart of G-d Ministries were driving home from a family gathering 10/1 when “the sky lit up without sirens as most missiles were headed to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. As we continued driving while videoing, we began to declare that NOT ONE missile would strike anyone or anything!  Upon arriving at home, the sirens sounded so we made it to our bomb shelter just in time. This was Iran’s second attempt to destroy Israel with a huge missile strike.” Not a single person died in this attack. On her Altar of Prayer Watch the next day she “asked Israelis of varying faiths if the Oct. 1 missile strike was the hand of G-d or just luck that saved us. ALL agreed IT WAS THE HAND OF G-D!”
     Also Prayer Walking The Gates of Zion in Jerusalem “we heard about Nasrallah's demise. Of course this wasn’t solely due to our actions, but we believe we have authority in Messiah to do those “greater works” that Yeshua promised. We can close gates of curses in the Land and open portals of blessings, asking Adonai to pour out dreams and revelations of His Truth and Love.”
     *DD Yes and amen! We also saw God answer miraculously when after seeing so much loss and destruction after Hurricane Helene in the USA, Christians rose up and prayed for a miracle when Hurricane Milton came barreling toward Florida at Category 5 potency.  I have seen reports that: “the storm split into two. The eye wall collapsed as it reached land. Tampa Bay was completely drained.” Sounds like “Red Sea” miracle of God territory to me!
 
Watch this short Shana Tova video from Youval Yanay of Revive Israel as they also are observing the biblical Fall Feasts of the LORD. And read this Yom Teruah, the Day the Heavens Open and the King Returns by Raphael Almeida  “Growing up here in Israel, I always thought of Rosh Hashanah as the start of the new year. It’s what we learned, celebrated, and expected. But as I began to really study the Scriptures, I discovered something surprising: Rosh Hashanah isn’t actually the “New Year” in the Bible. Instead, it’s called Yom Teruah, the Day of Blowing the Shofar. . . .” click title to continue

Dani Sayag gets real with his article on Yom Kippur – confessing his true struggles as October 7th unfolded in 2023. It takes courage to be real with people and I really appreciate all the pastor of HaCarmel had to say. He writes, “When we arrived at the congregation, preparing to start our Shabbat service, the dreadful news came that terrorists had entered southern Israel. At that moment, we didn’t understand the scale of the horrific things that were taking place in the kibbutzim and the towns in the South. As we were worshipping during the service, we received news from a believing family in one of the kibbutzim near the Gaza border that terrorists were inside their home, while they themselves were locked in their safe room. The message from the family was, “Please pray for us.” This was our first clue as to what was happening in the South. We stopped the worship and as a congregation we began to intercede for them. Later on, we heard the news that this family was saved, but many others did not make it.”
     “During the following days, we began to understand the whole picture of what had actually taken place on October 7. The nation was in shock. Personally, I had a difficult time functioning during those days. I felt like a pilot spinning in his aircraft. The only thing that brought me to a place of stability was looking at the compass on the control panel. During moments like those, I couldn’t trust my feelings. I had anger toward our government and our army. It was difficult for me to hear Arabic. During a worship service shortly after the war started, when we were singing a song in Arabic, I found it hard to do.
     For me, looking at the compass is looking at God’s Word. I remembered His promises, the promises toward Israel and what He wrote about the Jew and the Gentile becoming “one new man” in Messiah Yeshua. Because of God’s words, I knew how He felt about my Arab brothers, that in Messiah Yeshua, we are “one new man” (Eph. 2:15). It was no longer a struggle for me to hear Arabic and to worship together with them. As long as I kept my eyes on God’s Word, I felt safe and stable.”
     “….Throughout this year we have had many moments of pain. We were grieved every time we heard a report about the death or injury of a soldier. We are constantly hurting concerning our hostages. However, there were also moments of joy. . . .As a pastor, no one ever taught me before how to lead a congregation during this kind of war, but I want to thank God that He led us by His Spirit and filled our community with people that have servants’ hearts. As I am writing this, we are still in the middle of the war. We believe that God has called us, and you, for such a time as this. This is the time to join together as the army of God, fighting against the darkness with our powerful spiritual weapons of worship, prayer, and the proclamation of God’s Word. Thank you for standing with us during this dark hour.”

From Maoz Ministries, Kobi & Shani Ferguson write: “This Yom Kippur will be different because while we've just noted the one year anniversary of October 7th, the Jewish calendar is different, and as such, this is the first Yom Kippur since the massacre last year.
     In light of this being a time of fasting and praying for our nation we wanted to share an updated “Pray Wisely” for prayer ideas, a podcast sharing about what is going on in Israel right now with additional prayer points and playlist of Israeli worship specifically created with your prayer time in mind.
     Thank you for being a part of the story of Israel.  We know it’s not easy. But at least it’s not boring. 



 

Thursday, October 3, 2024

Arrows 2024 Oct 4 Feast of Trumpets


Photo is from 11 years ago at the annual gathering of Messianic Jews for a Feast of Trumpets picnic


 Yom Teruah

Feast of Trumpets

What’s it all about?
For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound,
who shall prepare himself to the battle?
by Donna Diorio
.
There are many uses of “the blowing of the trumpet” in Scripture, from announcing a new year, the new month, or to announce the year of Jubliee. It is not specifically referenced in the New Testament by name but most of us believe the 7 Trumpets blowing in Revelation are important. In the Hebrew Scriptures some of the uses are a trumpet blown to sound the alarm in Israel and also to call the people to assemble together. A trumpet is blown when making offerings and sacrifices, in praise and worship, and through different sounds made while blowing to convey a message. A trumpet is also blown to wage war and for the warriors to prepare for military battle.  These serve purposes in both the natural world and for spiritual purposes too. When the natural war is taking place in Israel, the whole spiritual body internationally should be hearing the spiritual “blowing of the trumpet.” 
     That is why I have connected what 1 Corinthians 14:8 means to this Feast of Trumpets 5785/2024 – “For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?”  Since Israel is God’s prophetic timepiece, I believe it is particularly significant for us this year on the Feast of Trumpets (October 4th) the war that Israel has been having great victories in.
     Attacked on October 7th 2023, most of the 11 months of trauma and despair experienced in Israel of being attacked and then going to war was without any sense of being truly victorious. Division became acute on how the war and rescuing hostages should be handled. What was the priority? Suddenly the spiritual tide changed because it was clear God was giving Israel the victory. Fighting in battles still required, but clearly God was leading Israeli leadership to press into the battle … to win, not just to disrupt just enough to buy more time of dealing with the sworn enemies of Israel’s existence.
     To say this is God’s battle is not just repeating something in a light way. We should REALLY BELIEVE because these enemies are more against what God has said than they are against Israel!  It is God’s battle and because there are many reasons for blowing the trumpet, I believe this Feast of Trumpets is a “trumpet” giving us a CERTAIN SOUND: As we see how God is right now in giving Israel victories, we are being called as Christians to prepare ourselves too.
     For every Christian in every nation, hear the blast of the 2024 trumpet! For it is a certain sound to prepare yourself for battle and to go forth, pressing in expecting God to give you the victory. What does that mean to you personally? It means we intercede for Israel but also we press in now in prayer for our unsaved loved ones. The battle for them all is NOW, and also for your nation. We will see terrible things in battles of the months and perhaps years ahead, but we enter it seeing how God is giving victory to Israel – let that encourage you that God is moving and will be with us to give us victory too. We are to partner with Him and with Israel in the battles for ultimate victory.
     This Feast of Trumpets is different. Do you hear it? It is a CERTAIN sound.

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

One of spiritual mothers in Israel, Jackie Santoro, who spiritually mentored so many of Israel’s young leaders today alongside her husband Eddie, writes, “The Lion is roaring! Those were the words I heard so loudly in my spirit when the news broke of the assassination of Nasrallah and the 20 other terrorists that were with him in the bunker deep underground.”  Before Eddie passed into glory a few years ago, he was my go-to for giving the news of Israel with great spiritual insight. Since his passing Jackie has stepped into those big shoes, and God has surely given her the same anointing to pick up on things others have not communicated.
     Jackie continues, “Heaven intervened with its victorious power. Here in Israel, it felt as if the whole atmosphere changed in that moment- something lifted. The heaviness was released and the heavens opened. The Lion had roared.  The events leading up to this event were the stuff of movie thrillers. We woke up to the news of an agreement between Israel and the USA of a probable ceasefire within a few hours. This news was met with surprise and was not well received here overall and the PM was out of touch in a plane heading to New York. Upon landing, he declared that there was no ceasefire agreement, to the surprise and confusion of the US government. The next morning, he gave his speech at the UN declaring forcefully that Israel will never stop going after its enemies. Unbeknownst to the world, the attack was happening just as he was speaking…. The whole ceasefire agreement was a ploy to encourage Hezbollah to let down their guard. And more incredible, because of the "beeper" attacks which took the world and Hezbollah by surprise and wonder, it forced Nasrallah to go in person to his meeting in the bunker because their communication system was devastated and what remained intact was suspect. The stage was set and God's hand of favor rested upon the Air Force as 8 planes executed a perfect and highly complex maneuver, dropping 82 tons of explosives on the gathering from hell.
     The whole event was obviously supernaturally designed and Israel in its true form was bold and courageous, doing mighty exploits in the spirit of King David and his valiant fighting men! This tiny country with its relatively small army is taking on the forces of evil around the world which no one has done before.  Whether on the battle field or in the office developing advanced technology of the highest level, our soldiers are committed, devoted and determined. The level of intelligence that Israel has been able to amass is nothing short of miraculous. There is definitely no army like the Israeli army and no doubt this war is causing even greater respect and esteem to rise up through all the armies of the world.
     The Lion rose up and roared, and is still roaring. Israel is attacking and demolishing Hezbollah along with the Houthis in Yemen and in Syria and the promise is that there is no place in the world they won't go to fight to destroy those who want us destroyed. The dismantling of terrorist control means freedom for the captives in Syria, Iran, Lebanon and Yemen. The citizens of these countries who are not terrorists are cheering for Israel and yearn to be able to live peaceful lives with Israel as a friend.
     There is still so much more to go and although we are inflicting much damage on Hezbollah, they are still able to send off rockets and missiles non-stop to Israel
     Jackie writes that we must remain vigilant in prayer – Hamas leader Sinwar remains at large, surrounding himself with Israeli hostages as human shields to protect him (“Israel had a chance to assassinate him a short while ago but had to cancel the operation because of the danger to the hostages.”)  Also “Israel must have the strategy that comes from God” for the rescue of the hostages.
She writes that the economic situation is extremely difficult straining the whole country; and “in another spiritual attack, all flights to Israel have been cancelled by order of the European Union.”
     Many other things she has written about her congregation in Jerusalem, Ahavat Yeshua, and the “Third Season” group she leads of seniors “So many of the group are the real pioneers of the Body here in Israel and have weathered many wars and storms of all kinds throughout their years here.”
     Contact Jackie for her wonderful ministry letters at Zion’s Glory.

Avner Boskey’s War in Lebanon deconstructs the war Israel is fighting — Iran: by proxies.  “The Islamic Republic of Iran has been preparing for jihadi war against Israel and the West for many years. It has structured a Shi’ite crescent of terror, all facing the Jewish state and strategizing for its destruction.”
The nations should be rejoicing but instead they are criticizing and accusing Israel:  “Over these past six weeks, Israel has eliminated as many terrorists on the US list of wanted terrorists as America has managed to do in the last 20 years. But both the US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and the POTUS have expressed extreme displeasure publicly or privately with Israel’s stunning successes here. French President Macron condemned Israel for taking out arch-terrorist Ibrahim Aqil, responsible for murdering over 60 French paratroopers in 1983’s Beirut. We live in bracing days.”
     Then “On Wednesday September 25, Hezbollah fired a heavy missile at Israel’s intelligence center, where both the Mossad and SIGINT Unit 8200 are located. This was the equivalent of Osama bin-Laden’s 9/11 attack on the US Pentagon. Other jihad rockets began to rain down on civilian areas of Haifa and even further south.  Israeli escalation was soon coming. Within two days, Hassan Nasrallah and his High Command were no more. And a new stage in the war was now on its way. Read in full online, Click Title |  Your prayers and support hold up our arms and are the very practical enablement of God to us in the work He has called us to do.”

Plant Hope Israel’s Jennifer Guetta writes, “Sound the alarm from My Holy Mountain…. We are praising God for the victories that He has given to Israel in the last 2 weeks. He has done so many miracles and defeated so many of our enemies. At the same time we are also waiting in anticipation for a possible escalation and the fulfillment of the next chapters of the Bible. History is unfolding in front our eyes! Many armies are coming against Israel, but we hold on to God's promises and pray He will continue to protect us and restore Israel's inheritance.  In the midst of it all, God's feasts are His appointed times and they are still so important.” Click here for Jennifer Guetta and her husband Eliahu give an update about the situation in Northern Israel, and give a Rosh HaShana/Feast of Trumpets greeting. |  Also click here for Jennifer's video teaching on Why the Biblical Feasts are important for you.

Avi Mizrachi of Dugit writes a heartfelt plea: “It was nearly a year ago, on October 7, that heavily armed terrorists invaded the land of Israel, brutally murdering more than 1,200 civilians, wounding 5,600 others, and kidnapping 240 people as hostages—including elderly people and mothers with their babies in their arms. The days that followed the attack were heartbreaking and chaotic…. Suddenly all these people had no homes, no belongings, and their businesses were closed. We started doing what we could to provide them with urgent necessities to meet their immediate needs. We learned that soldiers were sleeping on the cold hard ground in the desert. We bought them mats. They needed coats   and socks. They needed food—and they needed coolers to store the food. We rushed to do all we could. From the beginning of the war until now, we have had 23,000 missiles fired into Israel and more than 15,000 injured. It will soon be a year that the nation of Israel has been at war with Hamas in the South and Hizballah in the North. And still, the future is uncertain. These days our Distribution Center has never been busier…. Will you please give a special October 7 offering today—to fuel our mission to see all Israel saved?.... Mourning the tragic events of October 7 serves to remind us again of the uncertainty of life and the urgency of our calling to bring the Good News of Messiah to the Jewish people. Your generosity and God’s great faithfulness to His promises make all that we do possible. Be a part of what God is doing in Israel.

My friend in central Israel, Sally Shiff, daily writing short updates to inform intercessors in the nations connecting to her (she is with HaMaayan congregation) write that for the first time in months she had to run to the bomb shelter and after emerging discovered a rocket had come down on the street not 750 yards from her home! Grateful that for the first time in 12 years she had a bomb shelter to run to. She writes about  “Operation “Northern Arrows” The IDF is continuing to operate to achieve the goals of the war and is doing everything necessary to defend the citizens of Israel and return the citizens of northern Israel to their homes. Grateful to be under His wings.”
     Several days before Sally wrote,” My reason for sending out these updates is both informative and cathartic. I want to make sure those I love know the truth here in Israel. My ulterior motive is for you to know how to pray for us correctly rather than what you are hearing from the news agencies where you live.  Cathartic for me because you are my "captive" audience that allows me to share my heart and feelings throughout this year.
     Then reporting on 9/28 about the death of Nasrallah: “Our nation is rejoicing in a very subtle way as we still have hostages and displaced families. BUT the … amazing events of the past two weeks gives us great relief. The amazing part about last night is the timing...right after Netanyahu's speech to the entire world.  Shutting the mouths of lions (aka other countries who want us to have a cease fire or a pause) the ingenuity and strength came through. Personally, I think it was because of the prayers. There will be retaliations, however, we will be prepared. Raised in Tucson, I know that in order to kill a snake, you must cut off the head first. The body will continue for a while, but it will eventually die as well. Israel's tactic is killing the head of the snake, the rest will follow. Sinwar has not been heard of in a few weeks, hoping he is the next news.  Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil. 

From Avi & Hannah Tekel at Tents of Mercy in Kiryat Yam “Watch this holiday greeting from Avi and see how we pack up 900 bags of food and give them out.” The day prior Avi wrote: “Requesting Continued Prayer Cover | The Iranian attack of over 150 ballistic missiles this evening adds yet another intense element to this already threatening war. We thank God for His protection through our military and allies today and every day, but we also want to cry out to the Lord for a supernatural intervention that will transform Israel and the surrounding region in a way that will bring Him glory!” (Quoting Isaiah 62:6-7) and saying “Thank you for standing as watchmen together with us and faithfully covering Israel in prayer!”
     On 9/25 Avi wrote of the quiet broken in the Haifa Bay region when a barrage of Hezballah rockets kept them in bomb shelters for 3 days. While shopping after an afternoon of distributing food bags, Avi writes, “Seeing a few of the workers heading to a bomb shelter, I joined them. As we waited out the siren, I heard a loud yet different noise. At first I was alarmed, but then I realized I was hearing the sound of salvation! The strong and precise Iron Dome missiles make an intense hissing sound as they shoot out of their barrels. With each blast my heart was quieted and comforted.
     In all the uncertainty and stress of this year it is an even bigger blessing than normal to be able to give out the 900 beautiful food bags that we prepared with love.” We thank you for your faithful friendship, prayer and financial support. We wish you a sweet and blessed New Year!

Many of the following were Written before God’s Mighty Victories for Israel

Ronit Bender in Haifa just turned 74, “Outside we hear the falling of the missiles, it is surreal!  Haifa is now a target too, we have been mostly spared until now. When thinking about writing my newsletter, I realized my heart is not in it this month. The situation with this ongoing war….
     I (Donna) have not wanted to hide the reality of so many greatly discouraged hearts in Israel, even among the believers, because it is a reality – AND because I expect in many nations coming things will bring many to the same brink of great discouragement in the days ahead. It is important to realize such heart discouragement is not abnormal. Human beings can handle only take so much sorrow and pain, even believers! – but even more so, it is important to see in Israel right now how it can be overturned in a moment as God arises like a LION to give the victory. Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5
     Ronit wrote, “
There is a feeling of hopelessness on the streetsI know you are thinking: What about Yeshua [Jesus]?  I love Him with my whole heart, but right now, I feel overwhelmed.”  This is why God is bringing Jewish and Gentile believers in Messiah into “one new man” – that we can encourage each other. None of us can do it all by ourselves. Ronit writes, “Here is how you can pray: Pray for wisdom for government leaders, both Israel's and yours.| Pray that the 100+ hostages will miraculously be found / released - alive. And pray for their families who waiting for them.| Pray for Israelis who, like me, are feeling overwhelmed. This is the longest war since the War of Independence. Israelis don't know their God and need to call out to Him.”
    
Please also pray for Ronit’s health also. She is dealing with two major health issues which doctors cannot help. Let God arise and Ronit’s health issue be banished in Yeshua’s name!

Watch Tiferet Yeshua pastor Gil Afriat’s Video Message from the last week of September not only gives a true indicator of the point of weariness bordering on hopelessness that was common among Israelis after a year of non-stop war, loss, pain and division. But he also declares the hope and looking for the promise of God given in a word of the LORD one of their congregants received in the summer months. What a turnaround in what Gil Afrait was saying – and what a miraculous turnaround among Israelis from that day to this as God arose mightily with victories for Israel! Listen to this…you will be glad you did. It will give you courage for the things your own nations will go through in the coming days.

     Pastor Gil writes: “We wanted to give you a specific update about what is happening, how the many challenges are affecting Israelis, and how to understand what is happening from a spiritual perspective. Also, we want you to know how you can stand with us in prayer. Thank you for your prayers at this crucial time!”

What a blessing to read the brief sent by Ruby Bishai, the Arab Christian team member who serves on the Fields of Wheat team along Eitan Shishkoff and Joel Jelski. As you probably know, Joel has been serving in the IDF which has shifted many of Joel’s usual activities over to Ruby including Delivering Equipment to IDF Soldiers. Ruby writes, “I was alone and felt a sense of hesitation.  As an Arab believer in Jesus, I didn’t know how I’d be received by soldiers fresh from the battlefield. I remember praying, asking God if I should even reveal my background. Would this Jewish soldier, traumatized by the war against Arab enemies, accept an Arab offering help?
     The answer from God was clear: be open, trust Him, and let Him take care of the rest. When I arrived at the Gaza border, the soldier I met looked skeptical and immediately started questioning me. “Who are you?” “Where are you from?” I could feel the tension. But I took a deep breath and told him, “I’m an Arab who believes in Yeshua. I know you’re fighting Hamas right now, but I’m here to bless you. And not just me—believers from all over the world, especially from the U.S., have come together to provide this equipment. For a moment, he just stood there in silence. Then, he stepped forward and hugged me tightly. What was supposed to be a brief encounter turned into hours of conversation. By the end of the night, we shared a meal—Israeli MREs (meal-ready-to-eat, not exactly gourmet!)—and I gave him a copy of the New Testament. He looked at me and said, “Ruby, I don’t believe in God. But if I did, I’d be a Messianic believer.”

     Tears come to my eyes as I lift this passage from Ruby’s email. He writes that “We are Living in a Pivotal Moment” – hearts are open and hungry – But here’s the reality: it could go one of two ways. Some will turn to Orthodox Judaism for comfort, as many have, seeking answers in the only faith that seems available for a Jewish person. But my prayer, and I know that it’s yours too, is that they will turn to Yeshua—Israel’s Messiah--the true source of peace, hope, and salvation. We are living in a pivotal moment, and what we do right now matters. Our work here is not easy. Ministry in the middle of a war zone brings challenges I never imagined facing. . . . The harvest here in Israel is ready. But we need your help to bring it in!

     Here’s How You Can Help: 1. Pray with Us: Please lift these young believers in prayer. Pray that they will stay strong, rooted in the Word of God, and not be swayed by the pressures around them. Pray that more hearts will open to the truth of Yeshua. 2. Partner with Us Financially: If you feel led, please consider supporting us. Your financial gifts allow us to continue hosting camps, supplying soldiers, and reaching the lost with the message of salvation. 3. Share Our Story: If our work here has touched your heart, please share this newsletter with your friends, your congregation, or anyone who might feel called to support the next generation of believers in Israel. Together, we can spread the gospel farther than ever before. (Update your sign-up info: CLICK HERE)

Aliyah Return Center sends this update on Northern Arrows | The war with Hezbollah has reached new levels! Watch as Chaim unpacks this in this video | See all of Chaim’s daily video updates …. The Israeli government has promised to restore the security of the northern border of Israel, so the evacuee families could return home in peace. And sadly, due to the ideology of Hezbollah, where they would rather die than to make peace with Israel, there is no pretty way to make this happen…. As much as we would want a break from this chaos, and dream and pray for peace and security to return in our citizens to return home, this could only be a way for Hezbollah to regroup and become stronger in this fight. Please pray for us as we continue to press on. Pray that this would be the last war with Lebanon. Through it all we’re here to stand in the Gap and bless!

Read this Revive Israel article by its leader Youval Yanay He Who Has Ears, Let Him HearPrayer is not just about asking for things; it’s about creating a space for God’s voice, for His guidance and comfort. In prayer, we find security, encouragement, and the love of God. It’s an intimate connection that brings us closer to Him, transforming our lives and deepening our understanding of who we are in Him. Read in full online, Click Title
     Also: “In this time of deep spiritual searching, we invite you to join us in prayer for the following:  For those seeking God: Pray that God will reveal Himself in His love and salvation through Yeshua, allowing people to discover true forgiveness and genuine repentance—not just as a Jewish religious practice, but as a heartfelt transformation.| For the hearts of our people: Pray that our hearts remain soft amidst the many challenges and attacks we face. It is easy to fall into a desire for revenge, but as the scriptures say, "Vengeance is mine, declares the Lord." Let us pray for hearts that seek God and remain tender before Him.| For our leaders: Let us ask for wisdom and reverence for God to guide all those in positions of decision-making, whether in government or other areas of leadership.| For our soldiers: We ask for prayers of protection over all those serving, especially those who are called into battle or stationed in dangerous areas on our northern front and in the Gaza Strip. May God shield them and guide them.| Return of the hostages: As we approach one year since the horrendous attacks on Oct. 7th pray with us for the safe return of the remaining hostages.

 From Rick Ridings at Succat Hallel 24/7 House of Prayer in Jerusalem (the first one raised up I believe): “Our youth ministry, Dor Haba (Rising Generation), has a new music video out today! Filmed at our Dor Haba 2024 Youth Conference, with young Jewish and Arab believers.  Even in this difficult season in Israel, young people are coming together to worship our One True Lord! And they are standing together for true peace in the region, which comes only from the Prince of Peace, Yeshua.
     Click here to watch: “The One” Music Video. Please watch and share with others. We appreciate your prayers as these youth continue to gather at the Succat Hallel house of prayer to pray and worship. They're believing their Abba Father for breakthrough and revival in this land and in their generation. In His Peace, Tal and the Dor Haba Team, Succat Hallel in Jerusalem, Israel

Hasdey Yeshua (Mercy of Yeshua) has an uplifting report “The Battle is the Lord’s” and makes a connection that I have not latched onto before – that the Christian Arab four brothers known for their beautiful worship music as The Sakhnini Brothers, are the sons of the ministers to the Bedouin that the Hasdey Yeshua congregation is always reporting on! Praise the LORD! A family busy with our Abba’s business of ministry! The brothers recently led worship in the Hasdey congregation, “During the worship time, one of the brothers looked around the room and became teary-eyed as he saw people from so many different backgrounds praising God together. In the photo you’ll see native born Israelis as well as people from Russia, Romania, Brazil, Hungary, Peru, Canada, and even one Bedouin believer (not in view) who was in full Bedouin garb. What an incredible illustration of what Yeshua prayed for those who would believe in Him through the ages: “that they all may be one as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” John 17:21 Please pray that, as Yeshua said, the people of Arad might know that He is truly our Messiah.  Listen to Arabic praise: This is a song called “Dwelling Place.” You’ll see all four brothers in a traditional setting and with Middle Eastern instruments.”
     Also they relate how the Sakhnini mother, Sara, recently prayed for a Bedouin woman whose mother-in-law told Sara has been married to her son for 11 years without being able to become pregnant. Sara called for the young wife, speaking to her about how Abraham’s wife Sara had a baby to 89 after God saying she would bear a child. The young women then said, “Then suddenly Amira added…‘and there was Mary. She was a virgin, really a virgin, but she gave birth to Yeshua!I saw faith in her eyes, and for me that was huge. So as I was praying, again I was explaining that God would answer in His way and in His time. When I finished she said, ‘Amen!’ and when I opened my eyes I saw her eyes were full of tears. Please pray for Amira to become pregnant and also to come to know the true God.” PLEASE everyone stop right now and ask God to grant “Amira” a child, even a son which would be a double blessing. That her story would create great faith in that Bedouin community and many salvations.

David Silver of Out of Zion writes to say that because of his “health situation that I am still struggling with” he is finding the pressure to monitor and compile the news “very stressful and not good” for his current health status. Doing similar work, I totally get what David is saying. Please pray for healing for David, and for continued support for the ministry during his time needed to lower the pressures of work for healing sake. You can PARTNER with David & Josie,  Out of Zion - please go to our website to find the donation details for your country.| Or Click Here  to  make a support donation by PAYPAL | For a full list of resource and products available please see the ORDER page on the Out of Zion Website | Check out our videos & teaching articles on the Out of Zion Website | You can email us at mailto:david@outofzion.org

From Israel Pochtar of Beit Hallel congregation and Voice of Judah Ministries: The Prophetic Significance of the Feast of Trumpets | The Feast of Trumpets, known as Rosh Hashanah, holds deep significance in both Jewish and Christian traditions. It’s a time of remembrance and prophetic expectation. Join Pastor Israel on the Mount of Olives, a key place in biblical prophecy, as he reflects on this powerful and symbolic feast. The Bible instructs in Leviticus 23:24 that it is a "memorial of blowing of trumpets," a command given without much explanation. Yet, hidden within this celebration is a profound mystery that points to the future return of Jesus....Watch Now

From Michael Beener at the Sderot City of Life congregation:
Hope During the Biblical Autumn Holidays | In these times of need, our “City of Life” team is committed to standing by the most affected families organizing a large distribution of special food baskets and supermarket vouchers to bless the most needy in our region, including young families in poverty, widows, immigrants, single parents, and Holocaust survivors. Our goal is to bring them comfort and encouragement amidst their difficult circumstances, reminding them that they are not alone.....You too can be part of this effort. With a donation of just $50 per food basket, you can bless a needy family in Sderot, bringing them comfort and relief during these special days. DONATE here.




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