DAVID WRITES:
The good the bad and the ugly - these are things that the Bible does not hide. The Lord didn't reveal to Moses only the milk and honey, but also the giants in the Land. Isaiah was commanded to walk around naked because the Lord wanted Israel to see the naked truth, even for her own good. ( Isaiah 20).
The Bible says in Proverbs 27:6
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
As we share the documents below, and these details, we just want to set the record straight. If anyone would have experience in this matter it would be Paul the Apostle who gave himself completely in the beginning to destroy those who believed in Yeshua. Then after meeting the Lord Himself, he was transformed into one of the greatest Ambassadors for Yeshua that the world has ever seen. It was with a very heavy heart that he said, in Romans 11:25-29
25 I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters] so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to the Messiah. 26 And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say,
"The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness. 27 And this is my covenant with them, that I will take away their sins." 28 Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 29 For God's gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.
There was once a preacher working for a local assembly that was always talking about hell. At the end the congregants and the board dismissed him because he talked about it so much. He was replaced by another man that the people really began to love. Someone asked one of the members of the congregation, "How do you like your new minister?" He said, "We love him, he's fantastic". The person said, "Well I'm sure he doesn't speak about hell all the time like the other guy". The member said, "quite the contrary, he speaks about it more than the former preacher." There was a puzzled look on the face of the one asking the question. The member continued, "The difference between this minister and the other one is that when the first man spoke about hell, it was as if he was almost glad that people were going down in judgement. When this minister talks about hell, he intercedes and cries for those going in that direction".
Yeshua came to save and seek those who are lost.
We also gather together with the Body of Messiah to cry out for the people of Israel with one voice, that they might be saved. Even though His people for the most part have rejected the Messiah Yeshua, He is still madly in love with them.
There has been very violent persecution of Messianic Believers in Israel, but those who carry out these crimes are the minority among Orthodox Jews and not the majority. We thank God for those among the Jewish Orthodox community who have not only raised their voices to condemn these acts of violence against Messianic Israeli citizens, but have also defended our right of freedom of speech and worship under democratic law. Many continue to make contact with us, comfort us, and stand with us against the violence that was perpetrated.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENT
Luke 12; 2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
3Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
Below is A link to an extremely important de-classified document put out by the U.S. State Department from 2008. It was classified, and scheduled to be de-classified only in 2013! However, a Jewish believer in the U.S. requested documents related to Yad L'Achim's activities against believers in Israelunder the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and after much effort got it de-classified. The link leads you to the Israel Watcher newsletter which is put out by Donna Diorio, who serves the Messianic Body in Israel in many ways - by raising prayer for the ministries in Israel, and for keeping the truth about the persecution of the Israeli Body before the believers all over the world. Donna is a powerhouse for the Lord, and if you want to know what is happening on the ground spiritually in individual ministries in Israel, subscribe to her newsletter! She posted the State Department document on her website, and here is the link:
http://israelwatcherasecondopinion.blogspot.com/2010/10/newly-de-classified-report-by-us.html
Also, I recommend that you check out Donna's website at: http://www.israelprayer.com She has been an invaluable help to us personally throughout our ordeal, and continues to walk beside us and the Body of Messiah in Israel on a daily basis.
C&MA MEETING
LEAH WRITES:
We had a blessed prayer meeting last night in the C&MA facility whose two lower floors were burned by arsonists last week. At least 150 people attended from all over the country, Jews, Arabs and International believers. Roger Elbel, the Director of the CMA work in Jerusalem, expressed his overwhelming thanks for all who did arrive, and all who have called and emailed, expressing their sorrow over the event and their willingness to help in whatever way needed to restore what was damaged.
Roger led the meeting beautifully. The pain of the attack was evident, but the comfort of the Lord could be sensed and seen both in him and Jack Sara who stood with him and led the praise and worship. First and foremost, there was thanksgiving and praise for the great miracle that no one was killed from fire or smoke inhalation. Truly the hand of the Lord was seen in many tangible ways, making a way of escape for all who were in the building at the time. Roger explained that a person could die of smoke inhalation within 5 minutes, but all were able to make it to safety despite the fact that the building was filled with blinding, choking smoke. By a miracle, the smoke hung about two feet above the floor creating a tunnel of air that the volunteers could crawl along to safety. Although they couldn't see one another, they were all able to crawl to an exit and get out of the building. If it wasn't for that, our meeting could have been quite different, a memorial service with bodies being shipped back to the U.S. and Denmark.
Prayer was lifted up, and as one after the other rose to pray and express their hearts, there was a sweet and powerful presence of the Holy Spirit. Many of us were able to express what God had done for us in cases of persecution, and how the prayer and expressions of support from our brothers and sisters in Messiah had helped to carry us through.
THE INVESTIGATION
The initial investigation which took place while the fire was still smoldering showed that it was definitely the result of arson. One of the people who was in the building was working on his laptop an hour before the fire broke out, and reported that he heard scraping and pounding, but he thought it was just construction work, as he is a tourist and doesn't know what is normal and not normal in Jerusalem at night! However, the police and fire department are now trying to back track and blame the fire on other causes. This is disturbing, and reminds us exactly of what happened in our case, which is a ploy to not have to investigate the incident as crimes of arson and attempted murder, but as an accident. The point is that the security forces don't want to touch the radical ultra-Orthodox anti-missionary groups, and are afraid of their reaction. They certainly are not interested in defending believers in the Messiah, and this has been proven over and over again, not only in our case but in others cases. For instance, in a similar case, no one has ever been arrested for the fires set in the Narkis Street Baptist church in 2007 in 1982, which was officially called arson, plus many other crimes of violence and damage done to believer's and their property. If you want to read about that fire - here is a link: http://www.haaretz.com/news/j-lem-church-officials-suspect-extremist-jews-behind-arson-1.231832
In this case, the fire department is trying to say that the fire was caused by someone who was smoking in the building, but smoking is strictly forbidden in every part of the building complex. Also the fire started in a room that wasn't being used at all. The authorities are also saying that the fire could be a result of candles being lit for services that take place in the building, relating to the Catholic or Orthodox churches where candles are lit during services. This practice of candle lighting isn't practiced in the meetings that take place in the C&MA! These are nothing more than desperate attempts to close the case.
Please pray for truth to prevail, and for the perpetrators to be caught. The lack of justice in cases of religious persecution is and has been spiralling out of control in Israel. We know that the result will be an increase of persecution and violent acts against followers of Yeshua in the Land, and that we need to be as wise as serpents, yet harmless as doves.
Matthew 10:16-17
Persecutions Are Coming
16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.
Thank you for keeping all these concerns in your hearts and prayers.
In the Messiah,
Leah
The good the bad and the ugly - these are things that the Bible does not hide. The Lord didn't reveal to Moses only the milk and honey, but also the giants in the Land. Isaiah was commanded to walk around naked because the Lord wanted Israel to see the naked truth, even for her own good. ( Isaiah 20).
The Bible says in Proverbs 27:6
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
As we share the documents below, and these details, we just want to set the record straight. If anyone would have experience in this matter it would be Paul the Apostle who gave himself completely in the beginning to destroy those who believed in Yeshua. Then after meeting the Lord Himself, he was transformed into one of the greatest Ambassadors for Yeshua that the world has ever seen. It was with a very heavy heart that he said, in Romans 11:25-29
25 I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters] so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to the Messiah. 26 And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say,
"The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness. 27 And this is my covenant with them, that I will take away their sins." 28 Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 29 For God's gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.
There was once a preacher working for a local assembly that was always talking about hell. At the end the congregants and the board dismissed him because he talked about it so much. He was replaced by another man that the people really began to love. Someone asked one of the members of the congregation, "How do you like your new minister?" He said, "We love him, he's fantastic". The person said, "Well I'm sure he doesn't speak about hell all the time like the other guy". The member said, "quite the contrary, he speaks about it more than the former preacher." There was a puzzled look on the face of the one asking the question. The member continued, "The difference between this minister and the other one is that when the first man spoke about hell, it was as if he was almost glad that people were going down in judgement. When this minister talks about hell, he intercedes and cries for those going in that direction".
Yeshua came to save and seek those who are lost.
We also gather together with the Body of Messiah to cry out for the people of Israel with one voice, that they might be saved. Even though His people for the most part have rejected the Messiah Yeshua, He is still madly in love with them.
There has been very violent persecution of Messianic Believers in Israel, but those who carry out these crimes are the minority among Orthodox Jews and not the majority. We thank God for those among the Jewish Orthodox community who have not only raised their voices to condemn these acts of violence against Messianic Israeli citizens, but have also defended our right of freedom of speech and worship under democratic law. Many continue to make contact with us, comfort us, and stand with us against the violence that was perpetrated.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENT
Luke 12; 2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
3Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
Below is A link to an extremely important de-classified document put out by the U.S. State Department from 2008. It was classified, and scheduled to be de-classified only in 2013! However, a Jewish believer in the U.S. requested documents related to Yad L'Achim's activities against believers in Israelunder the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and after much effort got it de-classified. The link leads you to the Israel Watcher newsletter which is put out by Donna Diorio, who serves the Messianic Body in Israel in many ways - by raising prayer for the ministries in Israel, and for keeping the truth about the persecution of the Israeli Body before the believers all over the world. Donna is a powerhouse for the Lord, and if you want to know what is happening on the ground spiritually in individual ministries in Israel, subscribe to her newsletter! She posted the State Department document on her website, and here is the link:
http://israelwatcherasecondopinion.blogspot.com/2010/10/newly-de-classified-report-by-us.html
Also, I recommend that you check out Donna's website at: http://www.israelprayer.com She has been an invaluable help to us personally throughout our ordeal, and continues to walk beside us and the Body of Messiah in Israel on a daily basis.
C&MA MEETING
LEAH WRITES:
We had a blessed prayer meeting last night in the C&MA facility whose two lower floors were burned by arsonists last week. At least 150 people attended from all over the country, Jews, Arabs and International believers. Roger Elbel, the Director of the CMA work in Jerusalem, expressed his overwhelming thanks for all who did arrive, and all who have called and emailed, expressing their sorrow over the event and their willingness to help in whatever way needed to restore what was damaged.
Roger led the meeting beautifully. The pain of the attack was evident, but the comfort of the Lord could be sensed and seen both in him and Jack Sara who stood with him and led the praise and worship. First and foremost, there was thanksgiving and praise for the great miracle that no one was killed from fire or smoke inhalation. Truly the hand of the Lord was seen in many tangible ways, making a way of escape for all who were in the building at the time. Roger explained that a person could die of smoke inhalation within 5 minutes, but all were able to make it to safety despite the fact that the building was filled with blinding, choking smoke. By a miracle, the smoke hung about two feet above the floor creating a tunnel of air that the volunteers could crawl along to safety. Although they couldn't see one another, they were all able to crawl to an exit and get out of the building. If it wasn't for that, our meeting could have been quite different, a memorial service with bodies being shipped back to the U.S. and Denmark.
Prayer was lifted up, and as one after the other rose to pray and express their hearts, there was a sweet and powerful presence of the Holy Spirit. Many of us were able to express what God had done for us in cases of persecution, and how the prayer and expressions of support from our brothers and sisters in Messiah had helped to carry us through.
THE INVESTIGATION
The initial investigation which took place while the fire was still smoldering showed that it was definitely the result of arson. One of the people who was in the building was working on his laptop an hour before the fire broke out, and reported that he heard scraping and pounding, but he thought it was just construction work, as he is a tourist and doesn't know what is normal and not normal in Jerusalem at night! However, the police and fire department are now trying to back track and blame the fire on other causes. This is disturbing, and reminds us exactly of what happened in our case, which is a ploy to not have to investigate the incident as crimes of arson and attempted murder, but as an accident. The point is that the security forces don't want to touch the radical ultra-Orthodox anti-missionary groups, and are afraid of their reaction. They certainly are not interested in defending believers in the Messiah, and this has been proven over and over again, not only in our case but in others cases. For instance, in a similar case, no one has ever been arrested for the fires set in the Narkis Street Baptist church in 2007 in 1982, which was officially called arson, plus many other crimes of violence and damage done to believer's and their property. If you want to read about that fire - here is a link: http://www.haaretz.com/news/j-lem-church-officials-suspect-extremist-jews-behind-arson-1.231832
In this case, the fire department is trying to say that the fire was caused by someone who was smoking in the building, but smoking is strictly forbidden in every part of the building complex. Also the fire started in a room that wasn't being used at all. The authorities are also saying that the fire could be a result of candles being lit for services that take place in the building, relating to the Catholic or Orthodox churches where candles are lit during services. This practice of candle lighting isn't practiced in the meetings that take place in the C&MA! These are nothing more than desperate attempts to close the case.
Please pray for truth to prevail, and for the perpetrators to be caught. The lack of justice in cases of religious persecution is and has been spiralling out of control in Israel. We know that the result will be an increase of persecution and violent acts against followers of Yeshua in the Land, and that we need to be as wise as serpents, yet harmless as doves.
Matthew 10:16-17
Persecutions Are Coming
16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.
Thank you for keeping all these concerns in your hearts and prayers.
In the Messiah,
Leah