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Shalom Friends and Prayer Partners! |
Finding the True Light in the Darkness |
Reuel*, who grew up as an Orthodox Jew, called us recently and said he wanted to hear more about Jesus, Yeshua.
He shared that he grew up in Orthodox Jewish boarding schools, as his mother had died when he was young. He’d seen so much darkness and experienced so much pain.
He also lost his brother in a tragic accident recently and didn’t have enough money for proper burial. This was indeed a broken man.
But recently he saw our evangelistic video of Sarah Liberman’s testimony (the English version is here), and he started searching more about Yeshua.
I asked him, “What do you think about Yeshua?”
He responded, “He’s light - He’s pure light!”
We walked through the Scriptures together about sin, atonement, and Messiah, then spoke about Yeshua.
We especially spoke about how Yeshua came to fulfill Isaiah 61 - bringing good news to the afflicted, healing the brokenhearted, giving beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning. Reuel was clearly moved by these truths.
He asked, “What do I need to do?” I explained the need for repentance and faith in Yeshua - giving the rest of your life to the One who gave His life for you. He thought about it and said, “So, can I do that right now?”
I explained more in depth about the cost of following Yeshua - persecutions, ridicule, rejection from family and others - just so that he’d understand what the commitment involves. He said he still wants to follow Him! So we prayed together and he received Yeshua as his Lord!
For some people, after they pray to repent and receive Yeshua, they immediately “get it,” and start connecting with believers, growing as a disciple, etc. (see the story below about Daniel!). With others, it takes a bit more prayer and effort on the side of the disciplers, and can take the people longer to really get fully integrated. Reuel seems to be in that second category as of now. Please pray that the truth of the Gospel will fully impact every area of his life, that he’ll fully engage with the local believers we’ve connected him with (even with the current restrictions on meetings), and bear fruit as a true disciple!
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Man from Extreme Ultra-Orthodox Neighborhood Baptized |
Daniel, a former Orthodox Jew whom we shared about last time, has been meeting with me virtually for discipleship and growing rapidly, and wanted to get baptized. He made the trip to meet with several of our team members, then we spent the whole day together, hearing more of his story and talking with him in more depth about the faith.
Based on the description of baptism in Romans 6, we then asked, “So are you ready to die to yourself and rise with Messiah in newness of life?” He said, “Yes, let’s do it!”
When he came out of the water, he said he felt like his physical sight had just changed and everything literally looked different!
We explained that there is a veil over the eyes of Jewish people’s hearts, but when they decide to turn to the Lord, that veil is lifted (2 Corinthians 3:14-16). Apparently, God allowed him to experience in a physical sense that spiritual reality, as He has done for other Jewish people we know and even for the Apostle Paul (Acts 9:18).
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It was a glorious day at the Mediterranean Sea, and we all sensed God’s presence in a powerful and special way as Daniel took that important step of obedience. |
Later in a discipleship call, he asked, “How exactly am I supposed to apply the Word of God? I’m not sure I’m doing it correctly.” We talked about this, and then later he explained how someone at his job had said something mean to him, and he was about to respond in anger, but then remembered Yeshua’s words to “turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:39). Then a thought came to his mind, “But that doesn’t make sense!” Yet he decided to still obey Yeshua’s words.
I explained excitedly: “There’s your answer of how to apply God’s Word! You have been studying His Word diligently, hiding it in your heart (Psalm 119:11). And then the Holy Spirit in you reminds you of Yeshua’s Word at the moment of need (John 14:26). And then you have to decide whether to lean on your own understanding or God’s wisdom (Proverbs 3:5-6). You passed the test this time! |
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Man from Extreme Ultra-Orthodox Neighborhood Baptized |
Daniel, a former Orthodox Jew whom we shared about last time, has been meeting with me virtually for discipleship and growing rapidly, and wanted to get baptized. He made the trip to meet with several of our team members, then we spent the whole day together, hearing more of his story and talking with him in more depth about the faith.
Based on the description of baptism in Romans 6, we then asked, “So are you ready to die to yourself and rise with Messiah in newness of life?” He said, “Yes, let’s do it!”
When he came out of the water, he said he felt like his physical sight had just changed and everything literally looked different!
We explained that there is a veil over the eyes of Jewish people’s hearts, but when they decide to turn to the Lord, that veil is lifted (2 Corinthians 3:14-16). Apparently, God allowed him to experience in a physical sense that spiritual reality, as He has done for other Jewish people we know and even for the Apostle Paul (Acts 9:18).
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It was a glorious day at the Mediterranean Sea, and we all sensed God’s presence in a powerful and special way as Daniel took that important step of obedience. |
Later in a discipleship call, he asked, “How exactly am I supposed to apply the Word of God? I’m not sure I’m doing it correctly.” We talked about this, and then later he explained how someone at his job had said something mean to him, and he was about to respond in anger, but then remembered Yeshua’s words to “turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:39). Then a thought came to his mind, “But that doesn’t make sense!” Yet he decided to still obey Yeshua’s words.
I explained excitedly: “There’s your answer of how to apply God’s Word! You have been studying His Word diligently, hiding it in your heart (Psalm 119:11). And then the Holy Spirit in you reminds you of Yeshua’s Word at the moment of need (John 14:26). And then you have to decide whether to lean on your own understanding or God’s wisdom (Proverbs 3:5-6). You passed the test this time!” |
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Please pray with us: |
For the Pro-Life and Gospel Campaign - we’re creating the new website for this campaign, with several powerful videos, articles, pictures, and more! |
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A little taste of what’s to come:
the new logo for the campaign, called "Saving Lives"! |
- For Shlomit and her cousin, Matan - Eliel has been continuing in-depth conversations with Shlomit, an ultra-Orthodox lady we wrote about, and she has gotten her cousin Matan involved in the conversations, too! Eliel went through many Scriptures together with Matan, and then when Shlomit got back on the phone she asked, “So does he believe in Yeshua now?” God is working deeply in both of their hearts!
For the Outreaches to the Poor - we had three wonderful outreaches last month and are looking forward to two per month for at least the next few months. Even during recent times when other types of street outreaches have been difficult or not possible because of the restrictions, we’re grateful that God has continued to open the door for these! Please pray for great fruitfulness, and laborers to pray, go out, and follow-up with new believers! For revival in Israel - Israelis from many backgrounds, but especially Orthodox Jews, continue to contact us regularly to learn more about Yeshua. This last week we just connected several more to believers in their area for more follow-up. We are seeing the beginning of God’s promise to cause His people to “stream” to His goodness found in Yeshua the Messiah. Please join us in praying for them according to Jeremiah 31:7-14, |
I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance,
And My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord.”
For thus says the Lord:
“Sing with gladness for Jacob,
And shout among the chief of the nations;
Proclaim, give praise, and say,
‘O Lord, save Your people,
The remnant of Israel!’
Behold, I will bring them from the north country,
And gather them from the ends of the earth…
For I am a Father to Israel...
“Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,
And declare it in the isles afar off, and say,
‘He who scattered Israel will gather him,
And keep him as a shepherd does his flock.’
For the Lord has redeemed Jacob,
And ransomed him from the hand of one stronger than he.
Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion,
Streaming to the goodness of the Lord....
Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden... |
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