Standing in support of Israel, Jews, and believers in all the nations, in the name of Jesus (Yeshua). Sharing biblical truth, encouragement, news and prophecy.
Today I was searching for a video to send to one of my friends and came across this one - it is me giving my testimony about Israel for an event that was held at Steele Creek Church in Charlotte, NC. I was representing the Messianic group, One New Man, at Steele Creek.
Just wanted to share my heart with you! And especially want to share with you who are going up to Zion with us this year - particularly for first-timers!
Click on the link below - it's a short vimeo - about five minutes.
Scott Volk is Messianic Jew who came to faith in 1975. After graduating from North Central University in Minneapolis in 1988, Scott has served in various pastoral capacities in Arizona, Florida, and North Carolina.
After more than 20 years in pastoral ministry, Scott founded Together For Israel, a non-profit ministry that exists to partner with the Church for the salvation of Israel (Rom 11:26).
Scott and his wife, Beth, have been married for over 25 years and have a heart to see
Jew and Gentile united as ‘one new man’ in the Messiah.
They have five children and reside in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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I met Scott several years ago, and it has been such a blessing to get to know him. He has such
a genuine love for people and such a caring heart, and he, like Abba, is zealous over Zion!
He is so transparent about his journey as he tells how he, as a Jewish believer in Messiah Yeshua,
only recently embraced the calling for Israel. I was so mesmerized by his story of how the
Lord spoke to him after a visit to the Land. He founded and directs Together for Israel.
I so support and believe in what he is doing with Together for Israel.
Thus saith the LORD: A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children; she refuseth to be comforted for her children, because they are not.
This month marks 5 years since the brutal murder of 5 members of the Fogel family, in their home in Itamar as they lay sleeping on the Sabbath eve. Our Sages teach us that it was our Matriarch Rachel, buried near an ancient road in Bethlehem, who wept for her children en route to exile, and continues to cry out to God whenever tragedy strikes her descendants. Mother Rachel was surely weeping with the survivors of the Fogel family along with Jews across the world, weeping for the injustice of children orphaned and a family torn apart. That night, as a Nation mourned, ZAKA was there, bringing sanctity to the bodies of Udi, Ruth, Yoav, Elad and Hadas as they left this world. As terror continues to plague the country, ZAKA is always there, first to come and last to leave. Right now, ZAKA's resources have been depleted, and they are in desperate need of 5 new ambulances to help them continue their holy work.
Today's Hebrew music video is a tribute to the brutal murder of the Fogel family of Itamar in March 2011. The words are those of today's verse, as the prophet Jeremiah fortold, Mother Rachel would weep for generations over the continuous brutal murders of her children. May she and we know comfort, as her children continue to return to Israel.
Overnight, an Israeli mother, Miriam Peretz, who lost two soldier sons as well as her husband, whose heart couldn't bear the death of her oldest son, became a national symbol of grief and of strength throughout Israel.
Miriam’s Song is a poignant and powerful look into the life of Miriam Peretz, and Israeli woman who lost both her sons to war. Both soldiers of distinction and passion, the book depicts the effects of her loss and how she survived her grief. In these pages is the story of pain and resilience, the mingled song of hope begun by one womand and echoed by a nation. Paperback, 398 pages. This book was a collaboration between Miriam Peretz and Smadar Shir, a famed Israeli author and journalist.
It’s great to hear from you and make new friends from all over the world. Please send mean email and let me know how you are enjoying Jerusalem365 (don’t forget to say where you are from!).
What a blessed way to begin each day; I was truly blessed to read this Scripture -- thank you and each one of you who takes a part in doing this. Be blessed of God. Carolyn, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
An Evangelical Response to Israel's Evangelical Enemies
Tuesday, March 08, 2016 | Israel Today Staff
As Evangelical foes of the notion that Israel's modern rebirth has anything to do with the Bible gather in Bethlehem, it seems a fitting time to draw attention to this powerful video series.
What's happening at the Christ at the Checkpoint conference is nothing news. Replacement Theology has dogged the Jewish people for millennia. And its proponents have become increasingly rabid over the past half century as Israel's rebirth provided concrete evidence that God was not finished with the physical sons of Jacob.
Israel's Evangelical enemies will say it's ludicrous to continue to lay claim to land promises made thousands of years ago. They'll insist that Yeshua's coming spiritualized each and every promise God ever made to the People of Israel.
But that's a slippery and dangerous slope to go down, and jeopardizes our own claims to God's promises as Christians.
It also simply cannot account for the miraculous nature of Israel's physical reconstitution after millennia of exile, in perfect accordance with numerous biblical prophecies.
Evangelical Christians have traditionally been strong supporters of Israel and the Jewish people. Their support can no longer be taken for granted. There is now a strong movement to undermine evangelical support for Israel - and it is gaining momentum.
JERUSALEM, Israel – Experts working on the restoration of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem found an "iconic painting" that one Palestinian Authority official says is of "great religious and historical value."
Ziad al-Bandak, chairman of the committee overseeing the renovation, told the P.A.'s semi-official Ma'an news agency, the icon, made of brass, silver, shells and stones, was found under plaster about two months ago near a window in the church.
Millions of Christians from around the world visit the church, built over the cave or grotto where many believe Jesus was born.
It was originally built in the fourth century by the Emperor Constantine and his mother, Helena, and rebuilt 200 years later after it was destroyed by fire.
The basilica was in poor condition after centuries of neglect, including a leaky roof that threatened to damage the artifacts inside.
About three years ago, the Palestinian Authority led an initiative to finance a restoration project, which it said will cost about $20 million.
Once a primarily Christian town, Bethlehem is now a Muslim-dominated city in a P.A. controlled area, but they still claim the church as part of their national heritage.
UNESCO named it as the first world heritage site in what it referred to as "Palestine."
Jonathan Feldstein recently presented Franklin Graham a one-of-a-kind gift, a photo of the Old City of Jerusalem from the view of the Mt. Of Olives, printed on ancient basalt stone that was rescued from Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee. (Photo courtesy of Jonathan Feldstein)
How Would Joseph Interpret These Dreams?
Despite the biblical significance of dreams in several instances and later psychological use of dream interpretation, I rarely remember dreams much less give any credence to them when I do.
So when I had two vivid dreams that I remembered in the week that the Jewish people read the Torah portion with Pharaoh recounting his dreams to Joseph and Joseph interpreting them accurately, I woke up, so to speak.
I'd sure love a Joseph to interpret them for me as they relate to things taking place in my life and relate to Heart to Heart Israel. I am happy to share them and welcome your interpretations or input.
In my first dream, I was riding a bike down a long hill in an Arab neighborhood south of Jerusalem, through which I drive regularly. The fact that I don't own a working bike makes the dream all the more interesting.
As I began to descend the hill from Beit Jalla, next to Bethlehem, I was enjoying the scenery and letting gravity and momentum do its thing cruising along without pedaling. Despite signs in English and Arabic that stated the road had been repaved as a project of USAID, U.S. tax dollars, I carefully weaved around the potholes while trying to stay close to the shoulder and stayed away from cars passing in both directions.
As I gained speed, I rode by a young man walking in the opposite direction on my left. Suddenly, he appeared out of my peripheral vision, trotting along in pace with my riding. I started peddling, first casually and then more fervently as he increased his pace and kept up with me before pulling a knife and stabbing me in the back.
Then, I woke up shaken. Clearly, in my subconscious elements of the reality with which Israelis are living daily have seeped in—terrorist stabbings, stoning and car ramming taking place daily. Though the Israeli media has dubbed the main intersection near my home, not far from where I was stabbed in my dream, as the "Intersection of Death," I don't think that I am any more fearful or concerned than most people. But maybe I'm wrong. Or maybe there's a deeper message here that needs a biblical Joseph interpretation.
The next dream two nights later was awesome. I dreamed that I met Billy Graham. He appeared to me as if he were in his late 60s or 70s. He stood tall, had a firm handshake and spoke clearly but quietly as we sat in wooden arm chairs outside, under a tented area. The only sign of his age was the way he sat down slowly into his chair next to mine and how he stood when we finished our conversation. In truth, it would be the fulfilment of a dream to get to meet and speak with him as I did, a conversation that felt like it went on for a while.
I don't remember everything we talked about. But I vividly remember one thing. At one point, I thanked him for a lifetime of blessing Israel. Instantly, a tear formed and dripped down his left cheek. It was a touching and personal moment that, even in my dream, was a humbling privilege.
Having probably been the only Orthodox Jew to attend Rev. Graham's 95th birthday party and, recently, having the honor to speak at the Billy Graham Library as we celebrated the donation of two new ambulances from Rev. Franklin Graham on behalf of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, perhaps this dream was a virtual expression or projection of the awe in which I felt to be a part of this.
I didn't get to meet Billy Graham in person, but did meet his longtime friend, Dr. Cliff Barrows and, of course, Franklin Graham as well as leaders of both the ministries which he heads.
In speaking at the Billy Graham Library, I noted the ongoing wave of terror plaguing Israel which my first dream represented. I shared how it is a comfort to all Israelis to know that no matter the threat, ambulances like the ones that were dedicated this week are ready, equipped and staffed to respond to every emergency.
I also noted that, like Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, ministries whose mission is global and benefit all of God's children, Israel's national ambulance, EMS and blood service provides critical life-saving support for all Israelis regardless of religion, ethnic or national background, as well as any visitors in Israel, and even our neighbors from countries at war with Israel.
I thanked Rev. Graham for blessing Israel and pray that the reciprocal blessing will be vast. But I also thanked him for helping be part of the conclusion of the Scripture of Genesis 12:3, by assuring that through this donation, Israel will also continue to bless the families of the world. (Please be in touch to see the full remarks of the recent dedication.)
I look forward to celebrating the arrival of these ambulances, which will be dispatched to the Golan Heights, with a large Druze population, and to Nazareth, Israel's largest Arab city whose population is mostly Muslim. These minority populations make up some 20 percent of Israeli society and it's a point of pride that among other things, all receive equal care when it comes to lifesaving services.
Donations of ambulances do indeed bless Israel and the partnership with Samaritan's Purse and the BGEA is humbling. Some have said, "If Franklin Graham can donate two ambulances, anyone can and everyone should." Others have said, "Franklin Graham has many more resources, so I am not sure I can do something as meaningful."
In 2016, Heart to Heart Israel will focus especially on helping communities come together to take part of donating an ambulance. The idea is that if 5-10 ministries can join in raising money, together we can save lives for a generation to come.
There are many ways to bless Israel, and all are appreciated and noteworthy as an expression of God's heart. It's a special privilege to be used through God to be present and celebrate so many of these.
Of course any ministry that wants to donate one ambulance on its own will be wonderful and welcomed. Either way, we are here to help. We are grateful to be the recipient of your blessings so that Israel is able to continue to bless others. We pray that, as a result, you will be blessed in return.
Jonathan Feldsteinwas born and educated in the U.S. and immigrated to Israel in 2004. He is married and the father of six. Throughout his life and career, he has been blessed by the calling to fellowship with Christian supporters of Israel and shares experiences of living as an Orthodox Jew in Israel. He writes a regular column for charismanews.com's Standing With Israel. He can be reached at FirstPersonIsrael@gmail.com.
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Christian worshippers pray at the Church of the Nativity, believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the biblical West Bank city of Bethlehem on December 23, 2015, a day before Christmas Eve. (Photo by Miriam Alster/Flash 90)
Australian Church Announces Jesus Was Not Palestinian
“Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee; go up, take possession, as the LORD, the God of thy fathers, hath spoken unto thee; fear not, neither be dismayed.’” (Deuteronomy 1:22, The Israel Bible)
Jesus was not Palestinian, said the Uniting Church of Australia in a statement following an Australian news story which called Palestinians “the living descendants of Christ.”
Last week, the leftist Australian political publication New Matilda published an article, written by two Palestinian Arab members of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, which stated that an Australian delegation in Israel was “applauding proven human rights violators and insulting the living descendants of Christ in his home of birth in Palestine.”
The Australian Palestinian Advocacy Network has ties to the Uniting Church of Australia. Following the publication of the article, Peter Wertheim, executive director of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, wrote a letter of protest to the Uniting Church in which he said that “the proposition that Jesus was a Palestinian and that the Palestinian Arab population of today are his ‘living descendants’ was “so absurd and offensive that it deserves an immediate and substantive rebuttal.”
In response, the president of the Uniting Church, Stuart McMillan, released a statement saying, “I would like to assure you and the Jewish community that the Uniting Church does not accept the view that Jesus was Palestinian.” He added that Jesus and most of his early followers were Jewish, and that they resided in “neither in Israel nor in Palestine, but in the Roman-occupied province of Judea”.
His statement concluded by saying that it was “entirely inappropriate for anybody to attempt to claim political capital from the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem to bolster claims of either ‘side’ of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.”
This little booklet consists of messages previously written in my books, which of themselves contain many various themes. I wanted to devote one book to just Israel and the Jewish people, and so this small booklet was compiled.
As you read the following, consider the truth contained in Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, which spell out the commitment of God the Father to choose a people who will be a light to the nations. He chose the Jews, and gave them the Promised Land of Israel.
It does not matter what other national governments try to say, do, or accomplish apart from the plans and purposes of the Lord. They will fail. His Word is true. It is eternal. He is the same, yesterday, today and forever, and thus His commitment in keeping His promises made to the Jewish people will be fulfilled.
