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See Times of Israel VIDEO “I came back alive!”
When the LORD restored the captives of Zion,
we were like them that
dream
by Donna Diorio
Psalm 126:1 A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the
captives of Zion, we were like dreamers. 2 Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with shouts
of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for
them.” 3 The LORD has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. 4
Restore our captives, O LORD, like streams in the Negev.
I think we in the body of the LORD need to take a moment just to
rejoice when a wonderful thing has taken place just to be “like them that
dream.” This is a holy moment of joy that we should savor fully before
reverting back to our natural human default of criticisms, weighing all the
pros and cons and all the other non-joyous things. The first three hostages
released on January 19th is a cause for great joy for the whole
Israeli people.
I’m not preaching at anyone what I’m
not preaching to myself right now because regardless of the pros and cons, the
evaluations and criticisms, what remains is that Israel just enjoyed a
beautiful restoration of hostages ALIVE! Soon afterwards the body of believers
in the United States enjoyed a precious, and I say “holy moment” in the restoration
of our rightful President. A historic comeback in American history as Donald
Trump, our 45th President was sworn in as our 47th
President on January 20th. We want to savor that moment of great
joy. They tried to steal, kill and destroy him beyond restoration, but
God saw fit to raise him up yet
again for our President.
Christians and Israel's Jews,
especially those Messianic Israelis we share faith in Yeshua/Jesus with - He
has made it so we share much more between us. We share moments like this -
moments of great joy as well as the moments of great sorrow. It is not a
one-sided journey. we are walking together in each other’s lives and destinies
– even separated by continents and specific circumstances, it is the same
battles and spiritual enemies.
Arrows
from Zion
Summarized from the Weekly Summary of Prayer
Requests Israeli Ministries
City of Life’s Michael Beener writes
as Israel
celebrates as 3 hostages return home after 471 days in Hamas captivity | Supporters and relatives of hostages held captive
since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks gathered at Tel Aviv's "Hostage
Square" on Jan. 19, 2025, to witness the emotional release of three
Israeli hostages. The crowds erupted in cheers and tears as news broke
that Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari had returned to Israel
after 471 days of captivity in Gaza.
The three women were the first of 33
hostages scheduled for release over six weeks as part of the Gaza ceasefire
deal. Despite delays in the handover process, the ceasefire began mid-morning,
paving the way for their eventual freedom.
Video footage showed Gonen,
Steinbrecher, and Damari being handed over to the Red Cross at a Gaza City
square, then transported to an IDF post. From there, IDF and Shin Bet personnel
escorted them across the border into Israel, where their families were waiting.
Setting the captives free! At 6 p.m.,
the IDF confirmed their safe return, releasing footage of emotional family
reunions. . . . Let us pray for
the protection of Israel, for safety and strength for its people, and for
wisdom for its leaders. May God bring peace to the land, comfort to those
suffering, and healing to all affected by this conflict. To support City of Life’s congregation and many outreaches see here.
The Ir HaHaim congregation is in
S’derot, the closet city to Gaza that Hamas taunted calling it “the City of the
Dead” which is why the congregation was named City of Life.
Chaim Malespin of Aliyah
Return Center & the Faithful Galileans took part in a harrowing mission
right before the release of the hostages. He writes: “ It
felt like an action movie! I
explain a bit more in this video how I felt like I was in an action movie the
other night! Rejoice with us as these first three hostages have been released
from the clutches of brutal Terror!
ALSO a mission Chaim took part in: It felt like an action movie! I
explain a bit more in this video how I felt like I was in an action movie the other
night! FYI Real life Is far different than
watching a movie. Many people around the world were praying, and I am so
grateful for this! Thank you for your prayers. The battle was intense and our
hummer got stuck twice in deep sand. Talk about crazy! Somehow we all made it
out alive. Most likely because of your prayers. Thank you!
Our
mission was to make one last attempt in bringing home more hostages, or at
least bodies. Our mission was in Southern Gaza, and at the same time another
desperate last minute rescue mission was happening in northern Gaza.
Although our rescue mission was dangerous, with moments that felt like an
eternity, twice, we were stuck in what seemed like sinking sand under
relentless heavy fire in Rafiah, and though my team were ultimately
unsuccessful in achieving our specific objective, we operated as part of a
greater effort. Another IDF team in northern Gaza worked separately, but
together, as one united nation, we were successful. Through countless
moving parts in combined effort, IDF was able to bring home Oron Shaul, whose
body had been taken captive into Gaza during a previous war with Hamas in 2014.
Now, seeing the return
of three hostages, we are filled with great jubilation and gratitude as a
nation! . . . So the ceasefire begins. As an
Israeli citizen and a family guy, I am too happy to know that 33 hostages will
be returning home. However, as an Israeli soldier, my heart is a bit heavy, Hamas
still has a grip on the Gaza strip, and they remain a threat. And it is
absolutely wicked that they brainwash their children to become terrorists. Even
if Hamas surrendered the misguided people in Gaza would most likely continue
down the path of Islamic jihadism.
So even
though there is a ceasefire in Gaza, there is still much need for prayer
over all that’s happening on all the borders. . . .Thank you so much for
being faithful prayer warriors during this time of war! May God richly bless
you! Help support The
Faithful Galileans here. | JOIN US IN ISRAEL THIS FEBRUARY! Ambassador Academy, hosted by Faithful Galileans from February 2-16,
2025, is a two-week immersive program in Israel. Learn more
here.
Eitan Shishkoff of Fields of
Wheat and founder of Tents of
Mercy in Kiryat Yam, was of eloquent expressing the heart of Israelis in Saluting Aviel, a young soldier recently laid to rest who comes
from a multi-generation Messianic Jewish family. Etian wrote, “Aviel, your fellow
uniformed defenders of Israel have come to salute you. They, like you, are the
best, freshest, strongest, most disciplined young citizens of this
unlikely-to-be-resurrected nation. They, like you were, are entrusted with
deadly weapons that now lay casually slung over their shoulders. At 77, I find
myself wishing I could trade my life for yours. I have lived a full collection
of years. You were crushed in the flower of youth.”
Some may say things like that in an
emotional moment, but knowing the father-heart of Eitan, I believe it. Just as
much as I believe the apostle Sha’ul/Paul meant what he said in Romans 9:2-4, “I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in
my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Messiah
for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood, the people of Israel.” It is the expression of a laid down life to
God’s purposes. Recommend you read this salute to Aviel to grasp what Israelis
are feeling about their lost defenders of Israel.
I would also like to recommend this article from Messianic Jew Cookie Schwaeber Issan: The Importance for Christians to Understand Israeli Values Understand why Israel will release thousands of terrorists to recover even a fraction both dead and alive hostages.
Join Asher Intrater in this Tikkun
Global video New Period
of Hope. Asher cites 4 scriptures
about trumpets, all depicting a change in season. . . . The hostages coming
home are not just numbers, they are embraced as daughters, as family. Their
release evoked the tears of the entire country. Their recovery contrasted the
preciousness of life versus the incredible price of thousands of terrorists to
be released. Israel has sanctified life, while Hamas has sanctified death. What
does this mean? How is God moving? What does the future look like? Is God
really in control? Let’s ask God to open our eyes and our hearts to the CHANGES
so we can rise up and move forward in His Kingdom purposes with renewed hope
and victory.
Also Asher’s Signing a
Deal with Satan? “From a Jihadi perspective, this is a not an
agreement at all, but a hudna, a temporary truce until the Muslim umma (community)
can rearm and regain their military strength. Is
it a good deal for Israel? Of course not. It is terrible. But it may be the best
option we have right now. We need
to trust PM Netanyahu and the cabinet to weigh all the pros and cons, and to
make the right decision.
BOOK: Relational Leadership | Daniel Juster | Understand leadership from a
biblical perspective. This book puts over 20 years of pastoral and ministry
leadership into a practical guide for building healthy congregations and teams.
Filled with examples and stories, this is a resource to refer back to year
after year.
From Pastor Israel Pochtar’s Beit
Hallel congregation and the Voice of
Judah Israel Ministries, a Devotional video on how
God’s Anointing gets Released in Difficult Times: The Olive
Press of Life. Also he writes in Reaching
Israel with the Good News of Yeshua! “At Beit
Hallel Congregation, evangelism is at the core of our mission and vision. We
are passionate about sharing the good news of Yeshua with the people of Israel,
and we know that working together with local congregations and ministries is
key to maximizing the impact of this vital work. By partnering closely with our
sister congregations, we aim to equip them with the tools and resources they
need to reach their communities with the life-changing message of salvation.”
“We’re
beyond excited to give you an update on our Evangelism and Discipleship Center
project here in Israel” Let's Build
Something Great Together! Our Evangelism and Discipleship Center Project in
Israel ALSO Bringing
Hope and Love Through Humanitarian Outreach | and A Miraculous
Christmas Outreach in Ashkelon
From Arab Christian “one new man” prophetic-intercessor Rania Sayegh in
Nazareth-based HOPE (House of Prayer & Exploits, Rania writes, “….we
are deeply grateful for your unwavering support during such a difficult year. Despite the ongoing war on multiple fronts here in
Israel, we continue to see God's faithfulness and protection over His people.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we step into this new
season of ministry. Together, we will see God's Kingdom advance in Israel and
the nations.” Rania has an excellent – but extensive list of items on her
prayer list. Go to the HOPE website and explore – you will see how to subscribe to the
monthly updates full of great prayer points.
Avner Boskey at David’s Tent has been busy writing the great background/historic elements of all that we are seeing today in the Middle East related to Israel. Reagrding the hostage exchange is Playing poker with Hitler | Want to understand how the collapse of Islam’s caliphate had many Islamic leaders dreaming of becoming the one to restore the Caliphate and conquer the entire world? Read The morphing of the Caliphate. Last sent article is The Black Riders of Jihad. That black flag the recent US terrorist on Bourbon Street in New Orleans was flying on his truck has a meaning. Avner sheds light on the meaning: “The most important thing is the color. This raya, the solid black flag, was the Prophet Mohammed’s war banner. This flag compresses time and space – it harks back to where they came from and where they are going. It is not just the color of jihad and of the caliphate, but it represents the coming of what some believers see as the final battle and the day of resurrection.” Wakey, wakey America.
From the team led by Youval and Valerie Yanay at Revive Israel, they
are grateful “to God for the incredible work He did through the Winter
Discipleship Program of 2024. This season was filled with transformation,
healing, and renewal for every participant. With a focus on spiritual growth,
community living, and connecting with God through creation, the program was
truly life-changing. Each morning began with personal prayer, scripture
reading, and group discussion. . . . Daily teachings from Youval and Roni
provided participants with practical tools for understanding God’s Word and living
it out. Creative workshops…. sessions on identity, emotional healing, and
relationships… Field activities, such as sowing, planting, weeding, preparing
garden beds, and weekly harvesting, connected practical tasks to Yeshua’s
parables and the spiritual principles discussed throughout the day. One
participant reflected, "The connection with the earth changes you. It’s
hard to explain, but it genuinely makes a difference."
The group
also visited local congregations, experiencing the diversity and unity of
believers in the land. Meetings with respected elders and leaders offered
valuable wisdom and encouragement, inspiring participants to live out their
faith with boldness. To read the full report of how God worked
and transformed lives through discipleship, click here.
Reuven Doron updates us on the deal Israel made with Hamas in Passing Through the Storms
(CLICK to WATCH the VIDEO!!). He also wrote in the email he sends, “This is probably the most controversial,
problematic and unavoidable agreement Israel ever signed with one of the many
Islamic jihadi organizations.” In the email he shared a nice little
spiritual learning lesson he received from from his 2-year old grandson on a
tricycle ride. The 2 year old was in charge of navigation and granddad handled
the propulsion – which meant a lot of darting left, right left! Here’s the
lesson Reuven got from it, “Whatever we fix our eyes on, there we shall end
up. Whatever
grabs our ATTENTION will influence our DIRECTION, and could, over time,
determine our DESTINATION. So - let us be
sure therefore that, whatever storms pass by, the Word of God and His presence
remain our focus. As Isaiah urged the nations, “Look to Me, and be saved, all
you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.”
Reuven writes: Thank you for upholding our people, our
family, and our work in your prayers. We are grateful for those who are able to
financially share in our labors during this season of war and of harvest. The
needs are substantial, as are the opportunities to serve the Lord, and this link offers tax-credited giving options. You can email us for
more information and for other giving
options. Thank you.
Heart of G-d
Ministries Carolyn & Richard Hyde sent
this VIDEO of a walk on the streets of Jerusalem when a very
surprising thing happened – an Orthodox man joined in singing with
Carolyn!
She also writes about 20-year old
Aviel who was a neighbor in her greatly Messianic village who was killed in
Gaza. “To see his grieving family was so heartbreaking, but the eulogies
given by his parents and pastor beautifully yet sensitively proclaimed that our
hope remains firmly in Yeshua, the Hope of Israel.”
Carolyn writes in Altar of
Prayer Watch that recently while enroute
to Jerusalem she met 2 IDF soldiers who “shared what happened to them on
Oct. 7 on Kibbutz Be'eri, where they lost some of their best friends. It
was almost therapeutic for them to recount their struggles in Gaza, Lebanon and
Syria so openly. And when they invited me to the induction of their new team at
the Kotel, we gladly went to pray over them! The next day we volunteered with
more of our precious soldiers - what a privilege!”
Also “During
the worship watch at Kehilat HaCarmel, I was transported in the Spirit to a
deeper understanding of the Living Waters and came to understand why G-d delights in the
prayers of the saints, because when they’re mixed with His Glory and then
sprinkled on people in the nations, He rejoices in that partnership with little
us here on earth.”
From Howard Bass at Nachalat Yeshua, Yeshua’s Inheritance, he writes, “on
Sonday, Jan 19, three Israeli hostages
were released after 471 days/~15 months in horrific captivity by Hamas in Gaza.
On Monday, Jan 20, Donald Trump was again inaugurated, this time as the 47th
President of the United States of America. . . .There are very mixed
feelings and expectations and worries due to both of these major events. I
would dare to say that nearly all Israeli citizens -- especially those who are
glad to identify as being Israeli -- were both glad and sad at the same time:
crying with joy at seeing the three Israeli women returned to Israel, and to
their families -- all of whom have endured a horrible year-plus. The deal
that Israel was pressured to make does not look good from an Israeli
perspective, other than some temporary tension has been released, only to
exacerbate the real concerns about more serious repercussions that may result
from such a deal. "Have I got a deal for you?!" Meanwhile, Hamas and
their ilk are celebrating. . . . I do believe that some regional peace
agreement will come out of this destruction, but a peace that will further lull
people to accepting, with wishful thinking, a false peace that cannot, and will
not, endure. Only God's peace plan will be true and righteous and permanent.
. . . . YHVH God has promised that His chosen nation
Israel will be the "head" nation, but only when Israel is willingly
subject to the rule of God's appointed King, Messiah Son of David/Son of God.” “Here are
two articles which speak to the times, that I wrote some years ago, and a
recent one about a major element of our new creation, one new man identity in
Messiah/Christ: Yeshua shall
be called a Nazarene | Jacob and Esau | Intifada | Let's be
watchful in our prayers, and strengthen ourselves in the one, true, living God.
God bless you all.”
From Leon Mazin of Return to
Zion Center in Haifa, Leon says that at
the beginning of 2025, “Like
all believers in the world, we prayed and asked the Lord to give us a new
vision and a new way to reach out in this year. We believe that He has begun to
answer our prayers. In addition to helping new immigrants regularly, we started
hosting evenings for married couples where we introduce them to the history,
culture, customs, and traditions of the Jewish people.” (They minister to many
new immigrants) “We also went on a joint trip with congregation members and new
immigrants to Mount Megiddo in the Jezreel Valley. . . . In the near future, we
plan to hold a series of meetings for them and to tell them about our Father
God, Yeshua the Messiah, the Holy Spirit, and why we need Him. We also want
to explain to them what a family should be like according to God's design.
We ask for your prayers as we strive to fulfill our mission to restore
and proclaim faith in Yeshua in Israel. With love from Haifa, Israel. Restoring
& proclaiming the faith in Yeshua in Israel!" Click here to visit
us online
Sally Shiff of HaMaayan congregation in Kfar Saba writes “So far, the cease fire is
holding, and 4 more hostages are expected either Saturday or Sunday. . . . A
Moroccan (with a U.S. citizenship green card) who just arrived from the United
States tried to kill Israelis in Tel Aviv with a knife, innocent civilians who
were just having a cup of coffee. . . . In Jenin, (Northern Samaria/West
Bank) there is a huge operation taking place. Terrorists are Hamas
combatants with intent to enter into the towns surrounding them or the soldiers
who are in Jenin with the intent to kill.
IDF Launches
New Counterterror Operation in Jenin (Article
as well as English subtitled Israeli news)
“The
Houthis' continue to be a threat to us. On Saturday, we had another ballistic
missile launched from Yemen. . . . This war is not over yet, God is a
thorough God and will rout our enemies. But the primary weapon we have… is
the prayers of the saints. THANK YOU
for your continued support on our behalf.
On 1/11
Sally writes, “As an Israeli and American, I was glued to the Inauguration
and all that it entailed. I was deeply touched by the emphasis placed on the
hostages, even having some of the families up on stage. How do we in Israel feel about Trump's
return? Donald Trump Inauguration and how it
affects the Israelis
·
She asks for continued prayers – even
after the initial 33 hostages are released – for the release of the 65 hostages
that will be left still to come out of Gaza, whether they are dead or alive,
all of them should be returned to their families. Sally sends out daily short
updates since the war began Oct 7 2023. Subscribe by emailing her
From Ariel and Shayla Hyde and the team of Tree of Life Israel Ministries, a PODCAST From the
Cold of the World to the Warmth of God’s Family. “Searching for life’s answers in academia and her
career left Sofy broken and burnt out. But God gathered her into His arms, gave
her joy, and revealed the meaning of life. Watch or
Read here | Listen to our
new podcast on your favorite audio platforms: On Apple, Spotify and on Amazon. Watch it
on Youtube,
Facebook and on Instagram.
And please share this video on all social media outlets!
Gil Afriat and Moti Cohen, leaders of Tiferet Yeshua in Tel Aviv send A Light to
Survivors - “Next week on January 27, the
world will mark 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz Death Camp, the
day known as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Each year, there
are fewer Holocaust survivors who have witnessed firsthand the atrocities of
the Nazis, and my heart goes out to them as they now have to witness
anti-Semitism on the rise in the earth once again.
At
Tiferet Yeshua we regularly host special holiday events for Russian-speaking
Holocaust survivors in the greater Tel Aviv area. For me personally it is an
honor to serve at these events: my own Jewish grandparents escaped the Nazis
(losing almost their entire families) and endured the oppression of soviet
antisemitism in the generations following WWII. Read more
“. . . . The root of antisemitism
is Satan's rage against God because He chose to reveal His redemption
plan for all humanity through the Jewish nation and, ultimately, through one
Jewish Man—Yeshua. Now that God has fulfilled His promise to regather the
Jewish nation in their ancient homeland, again these demonic forces are trying
to destroy the state of Israel and rekindle violent antisemitism around the
world which seemed to all but disappear after the Holocaust.
Tiferet
Yeshua is a living example of God's promise to pour out His Spirit on
regathered Israel, and by His Spirit we are shining His light in the darkness.
When you support Tiferet Yeshua, you are helping us shine the light of God's
love to Holocaust Survivors here in Israel. Give Today
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