RESTORE

After David requested that God clean his heart, he asked Him to renew in him a steadfast spirit (Psalm 51:12). Though David sinned in some pretty grievous ways, he knew God as the light of his life, his strength, his refuge and fortress. God’s lovingkindness was better than life to David, and He was David’s source of abundant joy.* 

Sin slows down the progress of our growth and hinders our fellowship with God. Reflection and repentance restore us to intimate communion with God. David longed for restoration of fellowship with God that had been hampered by his sin, by his doing things his own way. As we turn from our sin, we turn again toward God in refreshed relationship. 

As you review the things God has revealed to you during this season of Rosh Hashanah, consider what aspects of God’s abundant life and goodness you have forfeited by following your own ways rather than His. Ask Him to renew a faithful spirit in you and revitalize your fellowship with Him. 

May this Rosh Hashanah bring you ever closer to God through honest reflection, sincere repentance and joyful restoration.

*(See Psalm 27: 1, Psalm 18:1, Psalm 91:2, Psalm 63:4 and Psalm 16:11.)

That’s why we’re passionate to make the most of every remaining day to have the greatest impact for God and reach as many people as possible.

And I’m praying you’ll join with me, and all of us at Jewish Voice, by making your own decision to do everything you can to:

• Deliver the Gospel of Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah) to as many hungry Jewish hearts as possible
• Rally support for Israel and skillfully use media to combat the lies in today’s current propaganda
• Expose the demonic disease of anti-Semitism

This is not a season for shrinking back.

In fact, I believe so much in this work God has given to us, we’ve taken a significant step of faith:

We set a goal to provide $1 million to Israel by December 31.

I know that’s a huge commitment. But this isn’t a time for us to be silent.

And we’ll do everything we can to compel the lost sheep of the House of Israel to come to the wedding feast before it’s too late!

That’s why I’m counting on your participation more now than ever. The simple fact is: We can’t do it without you.

This is a tangible, practical way to truly bless the Jewish people. It isn’t about dollars and cents. It’s about introducing them to their Messiah,

Yeshua.

It’s the greatest blessing you could give to anyone! As I write this to you, I know I’m asking a lot of you.

But the potential for God’s blessing … the opportunity to be a part of His Kingdom work … I believe it’s worth every sacrifice.

I can’t help but recall the prophecy in Acts 3:19 — and the salvation of the Jewish people that will release the power of God to ignite a global revival the world has never seen.

It’s the revival Peter expects in his powerful message to the Jewish leaders:

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that He may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you — even Jesus. Heaven must receive Him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as He promised long ago through His holy Prophets.
—Acts 3:19-21

When the Jewish people return to God, and turn to Yeshua (Jesus) their Messiah, He will unleash an outpouring of faith in Jesus around the world. Hearts will be turned to God. The Kingdom will come upon the earth and God’s people will experience a restoration.

But not only that, Yeshua will return for His second and final time …

This is what you’ll be a part of when you join with us and support Israel and her people with your gift today.

Please don’t wait. We set a goal to provide $1 million to Israel. And we must follow through. So much is riding on this …

And I believe God is already moving in hearts now, urging them to reply.
Will it be you? Will you say “yes”? Your gift will be put to work immediately through our partnerships in Israel to provide:

• Humanitarian relief essentials like food, medical support and dental care
• Ministry to women, orphans and widows — including those who face homelessness, addiction and abuse
• Training to Messianic congregations to raise up the next generation of Messianic leaders
• Media materials and resources for training and evangelism
• Immigration services that include legal support and raising awareness about anti-Semitism and human rights

And when you give today, I’d like to thank you by sending you our Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem Journal.

Back in July, we asked you to pray for a trip that Rabbi Jonathan Bernis and two leaders from our Congregation and Leadership Development (CLD) team were taking together. They traveled to Ethiopia and Zimbabwe for our annual gatherings of Messianic congregational leaders. These meetings were for teaching and equipping local leaders of the Messianic Jewish community.

We are so grateful for your prayers and excited to report that this trip was better than we even hoped it would be. The blessings we experienced on that trip – strengthened relationships among the leaders, the Lord’s presence and anointing, and the resulting breakthrough – all speak to the power of prayer and goodness of the Lord.

God heard and answered your prayers. Here are just some of the ways, along with some follow-up prayer requests:

• The audio Bibles arrived safely and were distributed in each country ­ – both the group size that can be heard by up to 200 people and the personal size that each leader received
  • Pray, as the Word of God now goes forth in each region, that many will hear and believe
• In Ethiopia, the almost 90 Messianic leaders from among three main groups of Ethiopian Jewish communities enjoyed a positive and productive conference taught by Rabbi Bernis and the CLD team. This united fellowship culminated in the head representatives of each of the groups serving communion to one another as a symbolic act of the breakthrough in relationships that they experienced
  • Please pray that this unity will continue to grow, leading to maturity, blessing and more Believers and congregations as a result
• We were privileged to affirm newly ordained leaders in Ethiopia and participate in the dedication of improvements to a full-time clinic run by the Ethiopian government. We continue to marvel at what the Lord is doing, both in raising up leaders and allowing us to bless their efforts in practical ways
  • Pray that the influence and effectiveness of these new leaders will spread far and wide in each region
• In Zimbabwe, more than 200 Messianic leaders gathered at their National Headquarters to receive training and encouragement. Several issues relating to life in Messiah, congregational and personal life were effectively addressed
  • Lift up these leaders in prayer so that everything they gained will be passed along and multiplied among their families and those they serve
• Young leaders are being discipled and raised up in each nation. One example is a creative young worship leader who writes songs for her people and leads a choir of young people
  • Pray for God to sustain seasoned leaders and also engage and mature younger leaders along with those new to the faith

Let’s pray:

Thank you, Lord, for the amazing ways you met with Rabbi Bernis, our two leaders who accompanied him, and all those we ministered to and with during these training visits. You did more than we asked or thought in every session of ministry and teaching, and we are so grateful. Bless these leaders in Africa, Father, as well as all who pray for them. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

While it may be a few months off on the Gregorian calendar, the New Year is almost here on the Jewish calendar.

Jewish tradition teaches that God created the world on the first day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei. This Jewish New Year is called Rosh Hashanah (Roshe Hah-SHAH-nah), which means “head of the year.” This year, Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset on September 29 and ends at sundown September 30.

This date is also the day God appointed as the Feast of Trumpets, or in Hebrew, Yom Teruah (Yohm Tare-OO-ah). The two holidays combine to begin the Fall Feasts of the Jewish year.

The Rabbis teach that at Rosh Hashanah, God pronounces judgment on each of His people for the coming year and that He seals that judgment on Yom Kippur (Yohm Ki-POUR), or the Day of Atonement.

Therefore, Rosh Hashanah and the days leading up to it are a time for self-examination and repentance as Jewish people seek God’s forgiveness and favor for the coming year. The 10 days after Rosh Hashanah are known as the Days of Awe when we intensify our reflection and focus on repentance and making amends with others. The Rabbis teach that during this time, God may yet alter what was to be an unfavorable decree on someone and grant a good year ahead.

As Messianic Jews, we know that God has sealed Believers in Yeshua with the Ruach HaKodesh (ROO-akh Ha-ko-DESH), the Holy Spirit, sealing us until the time of the Messiah’s return in glory (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Jewish people celebrate Creation and the start of a new year in synagogue services with special liturgy, prayers and blessings. Because the New Year falls on the Feast of Trumpets, services also include 100 blasts of the shofar (SHO-far), a trumpet made from an animal horn. Family celebrations include special meals and sweet foods to symbolize the hope of a sweet new year. Apples dipped in honey are a traditional treat. Holiday greetings include “A Good and Sweet Year!” and “For a Good Year!”

Messianic Jews also recognize that there is a prophetic aspect to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Teruah. All the Jewish Feasts that God ordained in Leviticus chapter 23 in some way serve as pictures of the coming Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus). The Spring Feasts of Passover, First Fruits and the Feast of Weeks contain prophetic images of Yeshua’s first coming – specifically, His death, resurrection and the giving of the Holy Spirit.

The Fall Feasts hold foreshadows of events related to His second coming – the prophesied last trumpet call, His final judgments on the earth, the redemption of Israel as they recognize their Messiah, and the coming Messianic age when Yeshua will reign as the Son of David over all the Earth . The Feast of Trumpets is often associated with the initiation of the Messianic Age and the raising of the dead in Messiah.

May your new year be blessed with sweet and good things from God’s hand.

L’shana Tovah!

(Li-SHAH-nuh TOH-vuh)

For a good year!