Listening intently before the New Year 2025

 

I woke up at 5 am yesterday morning, refreshed and eager to get back to the Israel prayer letters. But I am going to stick with the plan to stand down for a full week, listen for God and putter around my house.

Still listening for God's direction on the year ahead for me specifically. I am hearing from credible prophetic voices like Garris Elkins that the year ahead is going to be challenging, disquietening for many. I want to enter it knowing I am prepared - spiritually clean and trusting in God to continue to stay above the threatening winds and waves.

Some spiritual oppression I experienced in the past, I brought on myself because of unforgiveness - which is really just giving up on God to make things right for you. Parable of Matthew 18:21-35. To get out of this deeply shaming state, I had to forgive my way out and it was not an overnight experience.

Since then I have gone through several times, in specific situations, that I knew there was strong demonic oppression hitting me, overwhelming me. I knew it was witchcraft, but the confusion that comes my original experience of self-inflicted demonic oppression, made me question if I had done something wrong to cause me to be vulnerable for random oppressive spirits to set upon me. The oppressive spirits in those several experiences were not random, and were not because I had done something wrong, but because witchcraft from others being beamed at me.

Remember: Eric Volz is one - maybe the only one - who had several hours-long interviews with Mike Bickle in the process of being hired to manage the crisis of the accusations. In a recent interview with Eric Metaxis, Volz voices that his interviews with Mike did not manifest ANY hint or signs of the alleged sexual abuse at IHOP.

I got a lot of understanding for myself out of listening to Eric Volz' account of seeing the demonic oppression of spirits in the Nicuraguan prison. He was not saved at that time, but God was showing him Jesus even in the midst of the swirling demonic spirits there. He was there innocent of the murder charges, but not yet saved. His book, Gringo Nightmare, tells the whole story. 

Volz again saw heavy demonic oppression at work at IHOP while he was there. I believe it. Even watching from home I saw one musician on stage almost going comatose during a worship set playing a dirge. It was so alarming to me I emailed the prayer team that someone needed to go see about him. They did but within a week he was back on the platform leading, even more certain his response was the right one - drowning in hopeless sorrow. People who only have a mental assent understanding of spiritual demonic attacks cannot believe the reality even when they are witnesses to it.

Eric's interview with Metaxis helped clarifiy to me the several instances of great demonic oppression I have personally experienced in the past two decades in religious settings. It was witchcraft, and specifically a Jezebel undercurrent of witchcraft. I have read about the ways to identify an attack of witchcraft, but confusion is big during such an attack, so you question yourself, when it is really an attack on you because you aren't lining up with those operating in the witchcraft.

Christians can operate in this witchcraft when they speak and pray against other people, even Christians they don't agree with. The manipulation of their 'entourage' can sic demonic attacks on others just as much as dedicated witches. Intercessory groups can devolve into this, especially the more secrecy that is required of the intercessors involved and complete submission to the leader. This is why God forbids us such talk against other believers and all the other manipulative practices of witchcraft.

Interestingly enough, one of the incidents I experienced was in a church that did not care for my Israel orientation, and questioning a famed Christian healing guest speaker, he commented from the platform while looking directly at me, that he did not "get" Mike Bickle's Israel focus. There was a heavy demonic oppression I experienced at that meeting before and after his statement. If I had not come with someone, I would have departed after that comment, because I then knew it was witchcraft.

A third major experience of demonic oppression occured more recently, just months after the attack on Mike Bickle and IHOP. It was confusing and depressing to me to attend a conference of ministries I have followed closely for many years. I knew something was off from the beginning, and that sense only increased until the day of the closing night banquet where it became a full on attack. After lunch I was so spiritually wornout, I fell fast asleep in another attendee's room. Then during the banquet I became so sick I needed to leave the room many times. I was so sorry I had tried so hard to attend the event because it wiped me out. It is clear to me this was also an attack. And if you can hear it, it was also about defending Mike Bickle. 

Today I have more clarity about the three major experiences of a swirling demonic attack that I have had in congregational settings and they are all related to my activities for Israeli ministries. Hearing Eric Volz' similar experience has been affirming to me. When there is a spiritually oppressive atmosphere it is to keep God's people thrown off balance by the oppression and witchcraft spinning around them. 

What happened at IHOP was on a grand scale spiritually impacting hundreds on scene. Making the misery level great so people could not even function and had to flee to escape it. Most never knew what hit them. They thought it was godly sorrow, but it was a demonic attack controlling God's people to move in the wrong direction - into ungodly condemnation, prejudged 'facts' and lies that washed over social media like a flood against the prophetic and charismatic Christian world. Nothing was done according to Biblical judging and everyone there was oppressed by the demons delighting in their destructive works. The damage was not contained onsite, but was far reaching.

As I am rewriting this from the original I posted yesterday on Facebook, more is coming to me. That often happens as I write. I stand by these added observations. Eric Volz recently commented on X, “We thought going with certain investigators would increase the likelihood of them finding sexual abuse. Still stand by this statement," 

I agree. Alliances that were formed with the AG Group from the beginning are bound to come to their conclusions regardless of claims that they can fair and unbiased. That is a controlling lie. 

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE HOW SATAN OPPOSES WHAT GOD IS BRINGING TOGETHER IN THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH AND THE ISRAELI MESSIANIC BODY.

The storms that are coming are going to be confusing to people who only have a mental assent understanding of the dark spiritual powers. We have to move closer into God and trusting He holds us in the palms of His hands. 

__________

This is the original post I put on FB and I am adding it here because it gives more of Eric Volz' background, which is significant. 

This is Eric Volz who IHOP hired to handle the crisis of the AG accusations in the beginning. Eric was targeted by all of the AG & their supporters as evil trying to cover Mike Bickle and IHOP.

After Eric left his representation of IHOP as a crisis manager, he spoke of how intense and heavy demonic spiritual warfare was over IHOP the whole time after the accusations came out. Spiritual warfare can be so heavy that people either flee from it, or bend the knee to what the demonic spirits want to achieve. The few that remained there faithfully have been through so much spiritual beat down.

Recently Eric said of the IHOP situation, “We thought going with certain investigators would increase the likelihood of them finding sexual abuse...Still stand by this statement." - Eric Volz

DONNA: I am stating this with purpose because too few have seen the darkness of spirits that surrounds the accusations unleashed at IHOP against Mike Bickle, and then multiplied out to so many other spiritual leaders since. I have had my own awakening to the certain reality of dark spiritual forces, not as dramatic as Eric's, but real enough to see this is what was happening in the IHOP situation and others. Eric was no PR guy trying to cover over sins. At the 31:00 mark in the Eric Metaxis interview, he talks about the Mike Bickle case. (https://x.com/EricVolz/status/1860521413435883810)

I firmly believe like Volz, that ANY choice of investigators requested by the AG group is a slam dunk guarantee of finding sexual abuse. Although the person the AG requested to form an investigation and spiritual elder review and verdict in the matter has said he did not seek the request to do that, but innocently claims they asked him, the truth is he was already all over social media connecting with the AG & their supporters, in support of their accusations against Mike Bickle.

This is not to be taken lightly. Because of my own years of close support and connection to those this man is affiliated with in Israel, I have refrained from confronting this publicly. One because I believe my friends were not fully aware of their collegues clear siding with the AG group & their supporters before taking on the case.

Seeing now that Eric Volz is beginning to speak up, I believe I must also. Too few have discerned the spiritual warfare behind the accusations. I sense a travesty of injustice set to unfold because of the intense spiritual warfare surrounging this case - and the many others that have followed. We should not stand idly by and let it happen. Like Eric, I would never defend real sexual abusers. I do not hero worship or idolize any leader, spiritual or political, enough to do that. But I will defend against false accusations as much as within my ability.

Eric's book

Gringo Nightmare: A Young American Framed for Murder in Nicaragua Hardcover – April 27, 2010

by Eric Volz (Author)

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 78 ratings 3.9 on Goodreads 238 ratings

See all formats and editions

In the spirit of Midnight Express and Not Without My Daughter comes the harrowing true story of an American held in a Nicaraguan prison for a murder he didn’t commit.

Eric Volz was in his late twenties in 2005 when he moved from California to Nicaragua. He and a friend cofounded a bilingual magazine, El Puente, and it proved more successful than they ever expected. Then Volz met Doris Jiménez, an incomparable beauty from a small Nicaraguan beach town, and they began a passionate and meaningful relationship. Though the relationship ended amicably less than a year later and Volz moved his business to the capital city of Managua, a close bond between the two endured.

Nothing prepared him for the phone call he received on November 21, 2006, when he learned that Doris had been found dead---murdered---in her seaside clothing boutique. He rushed from Managua to be with her friends and family, and before he knew it, he found himself accused of her murder, arrested, and imprisoned.

Decried in the press and vilified by his onetime friends, Volz suffered horrific conditions, illness, deadly inmates, an angry lynch mob, sadistic guards, and the merciless treatment of government officials. It was only through his dogged persistence, the tireless support of his friends and family, and the assistance of a former intelligence operative that Eric was released, in December 2007, after more than a year in prison.

A story that made national and international headlines, this is the first and only book to tell Eric’s absorbing, moving account in his own words.

Arrows 2024 Dec 20 Finding Unity in the Story of Yeshua's Birth

Finding Unity in the Story of Yeshua's Birth
My cover story is uploaded separately here.

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

What did Moses see as he stood atop Mt Nebo overlooking all the land God promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? That is what Chaim Malespin at the Aliyah Return Center asked recently. “From the mountaintop, he saw the Jordan River, Jericho, Gilead, Dan (where modern-day Tel Aviv is), the land of Ephraim and Manasseh (Judea and Samaria), all the land of Judah (including Jerusalem), Naphtali (Galilee), Zoar (the Dead Sea area), and all the way to the Western Sea (the Mediterranean). Perhaps he gasped, and his eyes welled up with tears as he took it all in. The Bible says his eyes were not dimmed at the age of 120. He truly saw it all! ….like Abraham, Moses never entered into the fullness of the promise…Both men are mentioned in Hebrews 11:17-19 as heroes of faith. In the verse above, it records Moses’ final words of blessing that he declared over the twelve tribes of Israel before his death: “A people saved by the Lord!” Through the many generations after and even to this day, it has been so. I wish the world—especially the true followers of Messiah—would understand that Israel is not just another state on the globe.
     “….Be part of the return and restoration of Israel by supporting those entering the Promised Land. Help us build our center and deepen our impact on the lives of the new Jewish immigrants who need a helping hand. Consider the ARCIsrael for end of year giving. Help us build the Lighthouse”

Come, Let us go up! The Psalms of Ascent: Going up higher to Zion
  In late November, Chaim Malespin’s explanation that the Hebrew word for Aliyah, used to express Jewish immigration to Israel, was the same as the word “ascent” as in the Psalms of Ascent. That inspired me to begin on Dec 1^st to look each day at the Psalms of Ascent (Ps 120-134) with new eyes. I sensed I would see what those particular psalms could mean for us today as we are making our final ascent to Zion as “one new man” in the faith of Yeshua – both Messianic Jew and Christians in all the nations. I have posted the whole series  on my Fruit of the Fig Tree blog. Click on the December 2024 menu and start reading with Psalm 120. They have to be read in ascending order because there is a progression.  It has been exciting to write and explore, and I believe it is not finished yet. I have been thinking it might end up something I self publish in electronic booklet form.

Howard Bass of Yeshua’s Inheritance (Nachalat Yeshua) quotes 1 Tomothy 3:16 in his message to us of this 2024 as Christmas Day and Hanukkah occurs on the same day. His message and graphic could not be more in the Spirit of what I wrote in the opening.  
     Without Controversy | "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (1Tim 3:16)
    And, despite controversy:  Have a very merry and holy celebration of the birth of the Lord: the King of the Jews at His birth; King of the Jews in His death on the cross; and King of the Jews in full display after His glorious return -- not only of the Jews, but also of all the nations, and of the whole Universe! (H&RB)
    May God bless each and all of you, and all of us together, with more of Messiah living in and through us throughout the unfolding new year of 2025. Your prayers and loving support and encouragements help us to keep up the long race and the good fight of faith. In the love of our amazing Father, Howard and Randi 

From Tikkun Global, Asher Intrater writes Born is the King of Israel. There are several theories as to the date of Yeshua’s birth, but there is no solid proof for any of them. In addition, there are many cultural aspects of the celebration of Christmas which are ungodly. Despite those problematic issues, the birth of Messiah into this earth is a watershed moment of human history and biblical revelation.
     The Son of God became flesh in a human body in a lowly stable. The King of Israel was born to a virgin maiden of the house of David. It is majestic, humbling and awe-inspiring. The name “Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14; 8:8, 10) means: “Im” – With; “Anu” – Us; “El” – God. “God with us” – God came to be with us in the form of a little baby.
     Also Tikkun Global Statement on Allegations Against Dr. Michael Brown

The report from Youval and Valerie Yanay and the Revive Israel Team is in thanks for those who gave to the ministry on the recent ‘Giving Tuesday’: “Your generosity enables us to fulfill our mission of growing disciples who bear fruit for God’s Kingdom. Together, we are equipping hearts to be transformed by Yeshua’s love and truth, preparing them to flourish even in the most challenging seasons of life.” Read the touching testimony of how their discipleship program is changing lives. “Your partnership has made it possible for people like this to deepen their faith, experience God’s transformative power, and flourish through life’s trials. Will you continue to be a refuge in the storm for Zion's sake? Your ongoing support ensures that more hearts can encounter the truth of God’s Word, be discipled in community, and bear fruit that remains—even in the hardest seasons. May God bless you abundantly for your faithfulness and compassion.”

Avi Mizrachi of Dugit shares, Since the war began, your partnership has allowed us to meet many urgent needs in Israel—especially the needs of our brave soldiers. Through the relationship we have built over the last 14 months, I recently received an exciting phone call from a General that we have built a relationship with….Nothing is wasted in the hands of our God—not even war. This General called to ask if Dugit would provide gifts for about 300 soldiers. Even more incredibly, I have been invited to speak to these soldiers and share that Yeshua is the Light of the season!
     We are preparing the gifts for these soldiers—Christmas goodies, candies, and other seasonal items. That part is easy, but they have also specifically requested toiletry bags. As these soldiers travel from place to place, protecting our people, these essentials are in high demand. Would you take a moment to prayerfully consider giving a special gift to help us meet the needs of these soldiers this Christmas season? Please do not wait—we need to gather these gifts quickly. Send Help Today

Leon Mazin of the Return to Zion Center (Shavei Tzion) writes giving thanks for the prayers and financial support as they continue to seek to minister to their communities – the Gospel and the practical help of those most impacted by the war. Leon then blesses with his message of “gratitude for our mothers” by giving us a new look at Rivka (Rebecca). He shows how instead of usurping  her husband’s wishes to place the firstborn blessing on Esau, Rebecca in fact honor the Father’s desire to place the blessing of the first born on Jacob. Leon writes: “To pick up from her faith and not make mistakes, to trust in the Lord in our own way, as revealed to us.”
     Have you ever noticed that God revealed His desire to Rivka, not to Isaac? I have not! Leon notes that after answering Isaac’s prayer for his wife, once pregnant the twins began to fight each other in the womb. Talk about active babies! Rebecca wanted to know why, the Bible says.  “… so she went to inquire of the Lord. The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”
    Leon writes, “The main point of this story is that the ways of God are inexplicable. And God can use the human factor, or He can bypass it, but anyway the will of God will be realized. Jacob became that man who continued the spiritual lineage and anointing and calling of Abraham and Isaak. It was Jacob, who due to his “past life experience,” was able to dedicate all of his 12 sons to the Lord so that “Am Israel chai” – the Nation of Israel is alive today. This historical narrative is a story of gratitude to our mothers whom we probably did not honor with expressing our thankfulness for their love and willingness to sacrifice.” To bless the work of this pastor in Haifa, go to the congregational website.

From Israel Pochtar at Beit Hallel in Ashdod, VIDEO: The Good Hand of God: Lessons from Ezra's Journey  | Short VIDEO & ARTICLE: Our New Discipleship and Evangelism Center - Your Opportunity to Sow Into Revival in Israel! "When God gives a vision, it often surpasses anything we can imagine. Over two decades ago, the Lord revealed to Pastor Israel a prophetic vision for Ashdod, a city dear to His heart, and for how Beit Hallel would become a radiant beacon of light in Israel. From the beginning, this vision was never just about what Beit Hallel could do—it was about the journey God would lead us on, filled with challenges, growth, victories, and life-changing lessons..." | The Christmas that will Echo in Eternity  It’s Time for Light! Christmas and Hanukkah Evangelism in Jerusalem “This Christmas, Beit Hallel Congregation is organizing a very special evangelism event in Jerusalem, the city of the Great King.” Read more online | Also read Eleni’s Story: A Testimony of Hope and Salvation in Cyprus | A little fun: A Weekly Biblical Crossword Puzzle

Avner Boskey, Final Frontier Ministries (Israel really is the “Final Frontier”) and David’s Tent sends the last of his three part series. (Israel really is the “Final Frontier”) | Be sure to read  Dividing the baby - Part 1 of 3 | and Part 2 of 3 | and the latest: Part 3 - “The God of Jacob uses the Middle East to divide people’s hearts.” Avner writes, “ 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.”

Reuven Doron writes HUMILIATION  | “Look, the day of the LORD is coming — cruel, with fury and burning anger — to make the earth a desolation and to destroy its sinners. Indeed, the stars of the sky and its constellations will not give their light. The sun will be dark when it rises, and the moon will not shine. I will punish the world for its evil, and wicked people for their iniquities. I will put an end to the pride of the arrogant and humiliate the insolence of tyrants.” (Isaiah 13) Read in full, click title
      A picture is worth a thousand words:  Left behind by Bashar’s fleeing army, a Syrian tank turned into a vegetable stand in the streets of Damascus…     
     To partner with us, please visit https://pushpay.com/g/reuven  or email us at reuvendoron@gmail.com for more information and other giving possibilities.

 Messianic columnist in Israel, Cookie Schwaeber-Issan sends these opinion pieces published recently: 12/19/24 Humanity is Outing Itself | 12/17/24  Exposing the Religious Rot | 12/15 Show me the Jewish Homeland and I'll Find you the Crime | 12/12 Part 2: Walking into the Unknown with Syria | 12/10 The Fall of Assad - Good or Bad for Israel? |  12/8/24 The Worst Attempt Ever at Genocide | 12/5 Israel, the Convenient Excuse for Collective Jewish Guilt   

From HaCarmel congregation, the leadership team under Dani & LuAnn Sagag write about the almost staggering reality change in Israel in 2024. War changed everything and now we are “about the enter the new year 2025.” They are looking back at the enemies who have tried to do Israel in the past year – all gone now, as in the Shakespearean quote from Hamlet, having “shuffled off the mortal coil.” (coil as in a snake.) This is how God answered threatened Israel, and the HaCarmel team are grateful for how international believers responded too: “Throughout this past year, we have been continuously blessed by your prayers, your notes of encouragement, your financial gifts, and your participation with us online. Truly you have helped to keep us going during this year of trials. With your support, not only did we survive, but we thrived. The world around us is shifting, but our vision remains the same. We are still committed to the charge upon us from Isaiah 58 to care for the poor and needy, and to pursuing the unity of the “one new man” of Ephesians 2:14-15.” Above all, we pray and work toward the fulfillment of Romans 11:26-27: “And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.’”
    “We are heading into 2025 with confidence, knowing that our God is God, and that He is good.  We enter into 2025 with you, our family in the nations, lifting each other up in prayer. Our hearts are overflowing with deep gratitude for all your love and support. At this special holiday season may the Lord pour out His richest blessings upon you.”  Join their weekly service (with English translation) on YouTube Kehilat HaCarmel YouTube channel

 Tree of Life Ministries Israel, led by Ariel & Shayla Hyde sent notice of the new Live Zoom Prayer Meetings they are doing on Thursdays – so far, too late to benefit any of my subscribers because it occurred before my mailings go out. So I want you to know so you can get in on this in the future by signing up for the meetings (or writing them for more info). Tree of Life Ministries Israel are now doing LIVE ZOOM PRAYER MEETINGS? You will need to sign up prior to the Thursday meeting (4-5 pm Israel time (UTC+2) / 9-10 am Eastern Time. You can sign up here and ask to be notified in the next Zoom. They have “powerful testimonies, insights from Scripture, key prayer points.”  This is a dynamic, evangelistic ministry of young family team members who engage online and on the streets. Learn more online.

Jennifer Guetta, the biblical archeologist who was set free from the dark spirits of Kabbalah whose amazing story is in her book, Awestruck by Glory, looks back on all they were able to accomplish in 2024 with the help of the prayers and gifts from international believers. She is also looking forward to pressing ahead even more in 2025. You should go to the website to discover all that they are doing and planning for. I don’t have room to detail that here, but there is a lot going on and Jennifer is doing a lot of information sharing on social media too – including weekly Israel updates on YouTube and as needed texts via Telegram. Email for more information
     In addition to special events, Shabbat and worship nights from the Galilee, a Prayer for Israel group, they also are working towards Project Zion in the city of David. Jennifer writes, “Impact!  I want to challenge you today to reach out and touch people’s hearts and impact the world by shining His light. God is doing amazing things in Israel right now and you can be part of it. Please also pray for us and prayerfully consider making a year-end gift  (or become a partner) to help us shine the light of Messiah here in Israel. Help ignite faith in atheists, new agers, and the religious. Be part of the Revival.”

Rachel Netanel, who beautiful ministry is quite unusual to Western minds, but just works in Israel, is one that combines hospitality with personal testimony. Their home is known and used even by tour guides who bring Jewish people to enjoy the group hospitality of Rachel and her husband Gilad with a meal, conversation of Rachel sharing as the Lord leads her in different aspects of her testimony. People flock to their home in Ein Kerem and in also a house used for the same purpose in the south. Jewish people come to enjoy the whole atmosphere and many seeds are planted in hearts. There is also response to the LORD’s invitation. I do wish I had room to tell of some of the recent things she had to share.
     Rachel writes, “Beloved, I strongly believe that it is the love that draws people to want to hear more about our faith and about the Lord. His love is what brings them to Him. This is especially true with Israelis but I know that this will transcend to other cultures as well. Galatians 6:10 “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people…” I Peter 4:8-9 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Thank you beloved friends for your prayers and support. May the Lord richly reward you with His peace and salvation for all of your loved ones. With the undying love of our Messiah, Yeshua”

Michael Beener writes from the City of Life (Ir HaHaim) in Sderot as he raises funds to bless the Civilians on the Frontlines: Defending Sderot Together. “Following the devastating Hamas attack on October 7, their mission has become more vital than ever. These volunteers maintain constant vigilance at the city’s entrances and within its streets, ensuring safety and preparing for any threats…. Our ministry, City of Life, has launched a special project to support these brave individuals. To maintain the checkpoints at the entrances of Sderot and prepare them for the cold and rainy winter, we are delivering essential supplies: tents, professional generators, pillar gas heaters, and flashlights. These resources will improve their response capabilities and help them continue fulfilling their voluntary duties. WATCH THIS VIDEO ABOUT OUR PROJECT”

This is only a “seed” of the ministry letter from Evan Thomas of Beit Asaph in Netanya. The rest of the report will be shared when I come back in the New Year 2025 with the first issue of these prayer requests from Israel.

     Evan writes, “There are days here in Israel that we have a sense of standing at the center of profound change, of history in the making! The battle for truth and righteousness is accelerating and the geo-political world is in upheaval. As followers of the Messiah, we have a unique calling and a message to bring to this world, wherever we are. Ours is here in Israel at the Epicenter (a favorite term of Joel Rosenbergs.) Thank you dear family for standing alongside us and being our "Joshuas and Calebs" by supporting our arms while the battle rages in the valleys below! You are so deeply appreciated! Evan

DONNA:  Please remember the Israeli ministries you see in these pages as the time comes for Year End Giving. That is a more relevant consideration for the tax break in the US, but the US has been so dominant in giving, that it is an important time for Israeli Ministries to raise funding for their budgets in the coming year.
     Some may believe that times are so hard for us in our country, why place such a priority on the Israeli ministries?  It is expedient for us, as the Apostle Paul would tell you. That is because in the last days, as Israelis are coming to faith in Yeshua in greater numbers, their blessing of salvation returns in God’s own blessing upon those giving to help the Israeli Messianic Jewish ministries who are bringing in the spiritual harvest. Why do you think the enemy fights so hard against the Church recognizing how pivotal the unity between the Church and the Israeli Messianic Jews truly is.
     Some might also ask: how is that 'bless to be blessed' working out for you personally? First, that is wrong, we are blessed so we can bless. In this I am blessed with the ability to make some difference in Christians become more aware of the existence and significance of the Israeli Body of Messiah. God has blessed me to write well enough to do these prayer summaries and to share the insights and revelations of the His love of the Jewish people, His vision for the spiritual restoration of "all Israel" by faith in Messiah Yeshua, His intentions to bring Christians and Messianic Jews together in a mighty unity - like that of a husband and wife under the headship of Messiah Yeshua, the Anointed Jesus. "For such a time as this."
     As for financial blessing, this work of Arrows from Zion and the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries has never been dependent upon being able to make a living of it. I accepted that most of the Israeli Ministries live sacrificially to minister the love of Yeshua to their countrymen. That was a major motivation for taking up the elist - to change that by informing the Church of the situation. I count myself as so tied to them, the Israeli ministries, that I realize it means being in the same financial boat that inhibits them. But God's blessing is much greater than just monetary, and ultimately it is His call when breakthroughs come. It's all for love. It's all Him. 

 

The Story of Christmas is HisStory & Belongs to Us All

Journey of the Magi
James Jacque Joseph Tissot
1836-1902

Finding Unity in the Story of Yeshua’s Birth           
by Donna Diorio

Just like it is necessary for Christians to acquaint themselves with the Feasts of the LORD that God commanded Israel to observe in all their generations, it is essential for our “one new man” unity for Messianic Jews to have the same regard for the Christmas story.

This is not a call for Messianic Jews to enter into all the out of control commercialization and materialism that Christmas has morphed into for most people. If Christians are honest with themselves, these displays of Christmas are a far cry from the real focus of Christmas, the story of His birth prophesied hundreds of years before God’s purposes from the genesis were played out in O Little Town of Bethlehem.

The failures of what Christmas has become to most people – #1 being nothing to do with Jesus – should not deter us from returning our hearts to what it was meant to be to us. Clearly, the story would not have been detailed in Scripture if it were not an important witness to us.
 
As Luke wrote in his opening statement, Luke 1
     "Many have undertaken to compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
     Gabriel Foretells John’s Birth  5 "In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a daughter of Aaron. . . ."   [BibleHub, Berean Standard Bible: Luke 1]

Luke’s “orderly account” of “the things that have been fulfilled among us” include the prophetic fulfillment of the birth of Yeshua. This testimony is essential to those of us are eager to enter into all the fullness God has for us in our inheritance in Yeshua as Christians and Messianic Jews. All we have to do is not fall for the devil bait of debate arguing over the details of dates, pagan origins, etc. The simple focus on the fulfillment of God’s prophetic word that was fulfilled in a miraculous birth of His Son in human flesh is all we need to embrace a holy day to recognize Yeshua’s birth.

I know that many Christians do not believe they need to know anything about the Feasts of the Lord that the Jewish people observe, just like many Messianic Christians don’t think they really need to take notice of Christmas either. It may or may not be , but I suspect the reason both sides feel this way is because of the excesses of our respective traditions that have nothing to do with what God’s Word said. I understand that.

More and more I want to escape the traps that Christmas has evolved into. It would just mean non-participation in what the family did in one of our too-rare family get-togethers. We have to balance our desire to stay true to the Spirit  - the real Spirit – of our holy days and not withdrawing from our families.

As for our spiritual families, it seems that like the apostle Paul saw Messianic Jews being able to eat at the same table as the non-Jewish Christians, in the same way that now the issues surrounding Christmas and the Feasts of the Lord are things we must reconcile better as “one new man.”

That is my view, for what it is worth to my fellow lovers of God and His Messiah. Thank you to all my Messianic friends who have long made Christmas acceptable, even appreciated.

The story of the birth of Yeshua is just as precious as any story in our Bible. It is a story that changed everything for all of us. It is an important testimony that nothing is impossible to our God who works in mysterious ways…even ways that offend us. I believe this is one that will require both “one new man” of Messianic Jew and Gentile Christians to overcome our offenses with each other’s holy days and find the unity that exists is Scripture regarding them.

Songs of Ascent Psalm 134

Psalm 134 The last of the Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) 

Psalm 134 Praising the Lord in His House at Night

1 Behold, bless the Lord,
All you servants of the Lord,
Who by night stand in the house of the Lord!
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary,
And bless the Lord.
3 The Lord who made heaven and earth
Bless you from Zion!

I wonder about this focus of the servants of the Lord "who by night stand in the house of the Lord". My thought is it is not just a blessing upon those who do night time prayer watches, but rather it is about the type of "night" that is spoken of in John 9:4 by Yeshua: "While it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work."

The context is that Yeshua has just healed the man who was blind from birth. His disciples were asking him if it was the sin of the man or the sin of his parents that caused him to be blind. That was their understanding of health issues, that health issues were directly related to some kind of punishment for sins. Jesus was clarifying to them that illnesses and birth defects are not always as a result of sin.

Yeshua answered them saying, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God would be displayed in him. While it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Night is a metaphor for spiritual blindness. In the time Yeshua was walking the streets of Israel, He was saying that while He was there, He was the light that would overcome spiritual "night" for the Jews. It was God who "has not given you a heart to know, nor eyes to see, nor ears to hear." Deuteronomy 29:2-4 says this despite seeing all the great miracles God did for them bringing them out of Egypt.

Isaiah 6:9-10 confirms it is still true:  “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ 10 Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

2 Corinthians 3:14 "But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Messiah can it be removed."

This was so in order that God could use His Chosen People to be the ransom nation to redeem all nations bringing them into the inheritance of Israel, His Chosen People. So when Yeshua walked in human flesh this was the "night" that was on the Jewish people. He was the Light in that night of spiritual blindness, so many thousands of Jews could be the first to enter salvation by faith in Yeshua.

It was in the works of God - healing the impossible physical blindness of the man - that Yeshua and His Jewish disciples must be about. When He left this world, the blindness of most of the Jewish people would remain as the dark night. For His disciples, after He would return to Heaven and the Holy Spirit would be sent upon them, they would be able to do the works of the Father because of His indwelling Spirit. But even so, there would be a limited response from the Jews, because their spiritual night as in place for God's purposes. Not because God hated them, No! He chose them and this was part of being chosen for the sake of salvation in the nations. It was a veil of spiritual blindness that would not be lifted until "the fullness of the Gentiles" had come in.

Many have speculated that the fullness of the Gentiles references the numbers of Christians over all the centuries sent. That God put some number on it. My personal belief is that the fullness of the Gentiles refers to the spiritual maturity level of Christians. It is a level of spiritual fullness only seen in those Christians who recognize God's call to them to become "one new man" along with Messianic Jews in order to fulfill ALL of the Father's work as He returns to restore spiritual sight to Israel.

All that is happening as evil across the world is maturing and reverting to the telling hatred of God that antisemitism has been toward the Jews in all the nations. Now we see the spiritual night has grown past a nation here and a nation there. Now the "night" has grown to a state of global antisemitism. We Christians and Messianic Jews, must do the works of the Father while there is still daylight, because the spiritual night is coming where it will become impossible. Even the two witnesses of Revelation will lie dead in the streets of Jerusalem at that point. Revelation 11

This went deeper than I expected...but when the world grows so spiritually dark "that no man can do the works of the Father" there are still those who stand by night in the house of the Lord. Lifting up holy hands blessing the Lord, and believing that "The Lord who made heaven and earth Bless you from Zion!"

Those found doing this are Zion. I believe the "two witnesses" are "one new man" in Him. Not a literal 2 men, but Jew & Gentile "one new man" in Yeshua.

"And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them."

* FYI I have never seen the 2 witnesses as the "one new man" before, but in writing another article this morning on the justice system, I saw graphics of the 2 witnesses lying dead in the streets as I looked for graphics containing Isaiah 59:14 "So justice is turned away, and righteousness stands at a distance. For truth has stumbled in the public square, and honesty cannot enter."

Then as I was nearing the end of writing this I remembered the 2 witnesses lying dead in the streets, only to be resurrected by God in 3 1/2 days later...just like Yeshua. This being the point when Yeshua returns to the earth.

I am still processing this...as so often, it came not because I was considering the identity of the 2 witnesses, but like it was a download from God because I was pursuing His Word on other things.

Songs of Ascent Psalm 133

 

Psalm 133 Blessed Unity of the People of God

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is 
For brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard,
The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
Descending upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the Lord commanded the blessing—Life forevermore.

There is no doubt in my mind that in our day, this next to the last Song of Ascents up to Zion pictures the reality we are closing in on as the Church and the Messianic Jews come into the unity of "one new man" in Messiah. There may be darkness - even gross darkness covering the peoples of the earth, but among these who find their was to the fulfillment of God's desire to make of two "one new man" in His Son, there is an abundance of oil flowing down from the head - who is Yeshua/Jesus. 

If we will be the virgins whose lamps are filled with oil, we cannot bypass the will of God on the issue of our unity with the MESSIANIC Jews. We cannot reach the oil supply coming down from our head, Yeshua, without becoming one with each other. This is as true for Messianic Jews and it is for Christians. This is the winnowing - the separating chaff from grain.

Songs of Ascent Psalm 132

In the Songs of Ascent, we are so close now!
The message is longer and more celebratory.

Psalm 132 The Eternal Dwelling of God in Zion

1 Lord, remember David And all his afflictions;
2 How he swore to the Lord, And vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:
3 “Surely I will not go into the chamber of my house, Or go up to the comfort of my bed;
4 I will not give sleep to my eyes Or slumber to my eyelids,
5 Until I find a place for the Lord, A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
6 Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; We found it in the fields of the woods.
7 Let us go into His tabernacle; Let us worship at His footstool.
8 Arise, O Lord, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength.
9 Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, And let Your saints shout for joy.
10 For Your servant David’s sake, Do not turn away the face of Your Messiah.
11 The Lord has sworn in truth to David; He will not turn from it:
“I will set upon your throne the fruit of your body.
12 If your sons will keep My covenant And My testimony which I shall teach them, Their sons also shall sit upon your throne forevermore.”

13 For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place:
14 “This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation, And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
17 There I will make the horn of David grow; I will prepare a lamp for My Messiah.
18 His enemies I will clothe with shame, But upon Himself His crown shall flourish.”

VERSES 1-5 King David swore to God that he would not rest until there was a dwelling place for God in Israel. This plays out for Yeshua/Jesus to fulfill in God's own timing.

When David was speaking of God's "dwelling place" all he could envision at that time was a Temple, a permanent stone dwelling instead of the moveable tent tabernacle that was carried out of Egypt through all the years of the wilderness and into the establishing of Israel in the Promised Land. But the dwelling place that David's ancestor Yeshua came to establish was the Holy Spirit indwelling men - not only within international Christians, but as He is building NOW in Israel - a temple for the LORD"S indwelling in the Jewish people in Israel.

It is the full circle plan of God in His Son, the Messiah of Israel and the Savior of all of us, that He indwells by His HOLY Spirit. Living Stones indwelt as a Living Temple for God.

In verse 6 "Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; We found it in the fields of the woods."

Ephrathah is bot the "ash-heap" and the "place of fruitfulness." It is also another name for Bethlehem, where we know Yeshua was born. Out of the ashes of our lives His entrance brings us into the place of fruitfulness. David goes on to say about the dwelling place of God, "We found it in the fields of the woods." Some say that forests  in the Bible symbolize "places of refuge, where individuals seek solace and find protection." Also that forests symbolize growth and abundance. The fields (śāḏê) of the woods (yaʿar), appear to be the fields of spiritual harvest. 

David is urging urging us to go into God's tabernacle to worship and for God to Arise to His resting place which is the resting place of the ark of His strength (Yeshua). And to God's people David says, 9 Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, And let Your saints shout for joy.

Verse 10-12 is David's prayer to God for Israel: For Your servant David’s sake, Do not turn away the face of Your Messiah. The Lord has sworn in truth to David; He will not turn from it: “I will set upon your throne the fruit of your body. If your sons will keep My covenant And My testimony which I shall teach them, Their sons also shall sit upon your throne forevermore.”

God's promise to Israel is clear and true, verse 13-18 - 13 For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place:

“This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread. 16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation, And her saints shall shout aloud for joy. There I will make the strength/horn of David grow; I will prepare a shining light/lamp for My Messiah. 18 His enemies I will clothe with shame, But upon Himself His crown shall flourish.”

In the final 2 verses I believe King David is prophesying of the days we are in right now. He is talking about His restored Israel, because He chose Zion/Jerusalem as the place of the Throne for His kingdom on earth that Yeshua is to sit up when He returns. And He says there that He will make the "horn" of David to grow - the strength of Israel but significantly the "rays of light" which I believe means the increasing body of believers in Israel.

It is interesting that the Hebrew word translated "horn" qeren is also the name of a location, Bashan, which is in Syria....and the latest Israeli operation to take out the fallen Assad regime in Syria as the Sunni rebel terrorists have overthrown it, is called Operation Arrow of Bashan!

Indeed, God is strengthening Israel even at the same time He is preparing the shining Light of His Messiah in more and more Israeli Jews. Israel has a destiny in God to fulfill its calling to be a Light to the nations and the only way they can fulfill that is to be indwelt by the light of Israel's Messiah - before His return.

Israel will become so strong, they will be so many Israelis who have come to faith in Yeshua the Messiah as a testimony to Gentiles around the world that indeed Yeshua is the King of kings to sit upon His throne in Israel, that Yeshua will have to come to the rescue as the insane, evil unbelievers of the world join together from every nation to destroy Israel once and for all. But they will all die at His Word...every single one dropping dead.

For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place: “This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it."