Pray for Operation in the Anointing and Authority of the Lord

May 09, 2019
Children

It’s spring, and for Jewish Voice Ministries International, that means congregational visits. Leaders from our U.S. headquarters travel to Africa and meet with congregations that have “sprung up” as a result of the Good News going forth in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe.

When we bring medical and dental care in Yeshua’s name to these nations, we also desire to see locally-led congregations form that can provide discipleship and fellowship for the new Believers. It’s happening! Currently, more than 120 congregations in Africa are aligned with Jewish Voice.

Right now, two members of our Congregation and Leadership Development (CLD) team are visiting many of those congregations and their leaders located in several regions. During these visits, they will share times of prayer and fellowship and also provide teaching.

Please pray along with us as they meet with and minister to many people. Please pray for:

  • Wisdom, discernment, and enriching words from the Lord as they minister to minds and spirits ‒ as well as bodies ‒ through teaching, encouragement, and prayer
  • The Lord’s mighty protection and accompanying angels on this trip ‒ and the same for their families back home
  • Operation in the anointing and authority that the Lord has placed upon them to “build up” and “set in order”
  • Grace from the Lord in using them to foster unity and cooperation among the growing movement of Believers in the Messiah in these regions
  • Their ability to be models of what it means to live out a biblical, kingdom culture and to equip local leaders to do the same
  • Their ability to recognize what the Lord is saying and doing in each congregation and identify those He is calling into new and deeper levels of leadership

We greatly desire that the brothers and sisters meeting with our two leaders will be blessed and edified. Thank you for your prayers that accompany our team to bring about lasting fruit wherever they go.

We pray:

Father, thank You for Your protection and favor over our two brothers enduring the rigors of travel while they serve, exhort, and love. As they pursue the things which make for peace, may those they meet be edified and equipped for ministry. May the leaders and congregations grow into greater and greater maturity and unity in Messiah Yeshua, effectively doing the work of ministry and seeing many more new Believers and disciples through their labors. In Yeshua’s name, AMEN.

A Surprising Veteran of Israel’s War of Independence

April 30, 2019

Standing with Israel on Yom HaZikaron – Israel’s Memorial Day

“You’re doing the right thing, son,” his mother said as they stood at the door.

The young man left his home in England and headed for what was still called the “British Mandate of Palestine.” Since 1922, the British had been responsible for the area and were charged with helping establish a Jewish homeland there. In 1947, they turned the matter over to the United Nations. 

Until it gained sovereignty, the would-be State of Israel was forbidden to buy or manufacture ammunition or formally build the infrastructure for an army. Meanwhile, Arabs were already attacking and fighting to drive the Jewish people out. The fledgling Jewish state had to defend itself – to protect their lives as well as the Land that God had given them long ago, and the United Nations was about to return to them. So, they called on the Diaspora – Jewish people living outside the Land. And volunteers came from all around the world.

The young Englishman left his home and family to fight in a volunteer army thousands of miles away to gain and preserve a Jewish homeland. His proud mother supported his decision.  “My mother, bless her, gave me a kiss and wished me good luck. A kiss, and out the door,” he said with a sigh.

Barely 20 years old, he went to war and faced head-on the challenges of being a combat soldier. “We had to take a hill,” he remembered. “How do we take a hill which is full of Egyptian infantry and backed by artillery? At 4:30 one morning, a surprise attack. We were halfway up the hill before they knew what was coming, and,” he said, “we took it.” Astonishment still ringing in his voice, he added, “I think it was a miracle. We took it!” The next day, reinforcements arrived, and the volunteer Jewish army held the hill.

Being a part of creating and defending a Jewish state still moved the English soldier more than six decades later. “That feeling of a homeland at last,” he said, “where nobody could kick you out – it was yours! It was a marvelous feeling.”

That young soldier was interviewed in his eighties by Toldot Yisrael, a project telling the stories of soldiers from Israel’s War of Independence. His name was Vidal Sassoon, the famous British-American hairstylist and entrepreneur. 

Unlike Vidal Sassoon, thousands of soldiers didn’t survive Israel’s War of Independence. In new battles through subsequent years, thousands more were added to the rolls of those who gave their lives to build and defend the State of Israel. 

On Yom HaZikaron (YOHM Ha-Zee-kar-OHN), Israel’s Memorial Day, the State of Israel stops to honor those who lost their lives for the cause of Israel’s freedom. Two sirens sound. The first marks the beginning of the holiday in the evening, and the second signals the reading of public prayers during the day of commemoration. The blasts are two minutes long, and for that time, all Israel stands still. Traffic stops, commerce stops, everything stops, and Israel stands in silence to honor the fallen.  

As we rejoice that God has kept His promises to bring Israel back into the Land He gave them long ago, we recognize this prophetic fulfillment did not come without cost. And we stand with Israel on this day commemorating their losses, both early and recent.

Yom HaZikaron begins at sunset on May 7, 2019, and ends at sundown May 8. 

Vidal Sassoon’s story is part of a Toldot Yisrael video called The Volunteers: Answering the Call of History.

Passover Gifts for Holocaust Survivors

April 30, 2019

Holidays can be especially lonely for Holocaust survivors who have no relatives nearby. But many members of this unique generation have found a family in the community of fellow survivors brought together by JVMI’s ministry partners in Israel who conduct Bible studies, home visits and special events for them.

Recently, one such event took place when Holocaust survivors were invited to a Passover Seder. They enjoyed a delicious Passover meal and dined to live music performed by a Messianic worship team. Throughout the Seder itself, guests heard the leader explain the amazing symbolism of Yeshua (Jesus) as the Lamb of God represented in the various Seder elements. The Jewish holidays provide exceptional opportunities to bring up a discussion of Yeshua (Jesus) as there are so many connections we can show between Him and the Biblical Feasts.  

Holocaust Survivors


Each guest received a beautiful Passover gift bag from Jewish Voice Ministries International (JVMI). The gifts included halvah (hal-VAH) – a sweet, Middle Eastern treat made from sesame seed – plus an assortment of teas and a pair of mugs. The attached card affirmed God’s tremendous love for each of the recipients. JVMI gave out 100 gift bags at the event. The whole evening was a lovely celebration, and everyone had a marvelous time. 

JVMI’s ministry to Holocaust survivors is not like our Medical Outreaches to Africa where hearts are more open and ready to receive Yeshua. Many of these people witnessed or endured horrific acts of violence. Some of them saw their parents, siblings and other relatives killed before their very eyes. 

After what they’ve gone through, many Holocaust survivors do not believe in God at all. As we minister to them, the kindness and compassion we show helps open their hearts to believe in Him again. 

“It is a process,” says a JVMI staff member in Israel. “We need to continue and not give up. It is working. God is softening hearts.” 

At the same time, the ministry is urgent. The people who endured the Holocaust as children are now elderly and thousands of them die in Israel each year. 

We greatly appreciate your ongoing prayers for Holocaust survivors in Israel and our ministry to them.

Filled with interesting stories and background information, Dr. Michael Brown’s comprehensive guide answers the 60 most common questions Christians ask about Jewish people and culture. As a Messianic Believer, Dr. Brown provides articulate answers to questions about modern and historical Jewish practices and beliefs.

The future of Israel's government remains uncertain

April 26, 2019

Benjamin Netanyahu survives tight election, but the future of Israel’s government remains uncertain.

Last week Israeli voters reelected Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister of Israel.

After an election cycle steeped in controversy and a victory of slim margins, Israel – and even the world – is watching as Prime Minister Netanyahu builds his new coalition and what that may mean for the future of Israel’s government.

Many in Israel are predicting a similar coalition as the Prime Minister’s previous one. And they have also further stated doing so could complicate Israel’s relationship with the U.S. – both politically and with Jewish communities within the U.S

We’d like to bless you today for blessing the Jewish people!

Get the Israel Prayer Guide

Do you want to know how to pray for Israel in greater detail and depth? Jewish Voice Ministries has put together this Intercessory Prayer Guide for Israel that provides focused, targeted requests to help you pray for the nation of God’s People. We hope this prayer guide can help both Messianic Jews and Christians pray their support for Israel.

Such a coalition of right-wing and religious parties would ultimately push Israel further to the right. And while it would strengthen Israel’s relationship with the current administration, it would weaken bipartisan support for Israel in Washington.

With a coalition consisting of many of the ultra-Orthodox parties, it’s expected they’ll have great influence over religious policies. This will set the stage for continued tension with the non-Orthodox streams of Judaism, the Jewish state and the largest Jewish community outside of it.

The question in many minds is: What will Prime Minister Netanyahu have to promise to those he’s approaching to build Israel’s new government?
 

In his acceptance speech after learning of his reelection, Netanyahu declared, "I want all parts of Israeli society, Jews and non-Jews, to be part of the great success story called Israel. I believe there is a great opening for the future here, a great opening for hope.”
 

While the future isn’t clear, we know that God is always in control.We believe all things work together according to His purpose and in His time.
 

But what should be clear is for all of us to pray:

  1. For God to give strength, courage and guidance to Prime Minister Netanyahu as he picks the coalition for the new government in Israel.
  2. For God to move in the hearts of any who would oppose His will in and around Israel – and the entire world. To change hearts. To open eyes.
  3. For God to bring an everlasting peace to Israel.

But in addition to your prayers, I’d also like to invite you to give. Even as I write, our ministries on the ground in Israel are actively working towards peace.

Whether it’s through providing survival resources to the “least of these,” supporting Holocaust victims or partnering with Messianic congregations – all our efforts are done in the name and through the power of Yeshua (Jesus).

And more than just providing immediate help, these outreaches and ministries are the greatest means we have to build relationships with the Jewish people that give us the opportunity to share the Good News. So if you feel led, please give your most generous gift now.

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