CJF Ministries August 2013 Newsletter

7/29/2019 CJF Ministries August 2013 Newsletter

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CJF MinistriesPO Box 345

San Antonio, Texas 78292-0345 God has not forgotten the Jewish people, and neither have we.

Telephone

(210) 226-0421

Fax

(210) 226- 2140

[email protected]

OrderLine

(800) 926 - 5397

Website

www.cjfm.org

August 2013

Dear Friends,

September will be a very busy month for our Jewish friends. Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year)

marksaccording to Jewish reckoning5,774 years since the creation of the earth. Coming

just a few days after Rosh Hashana is the most sacred day of the Jewish calendarthe Day

of Atonement. The last part of the month concludes with Simchat Torah (Rejoicing in the

Torah) when Jewish people throw a party to celebrate the completion of one full cycle of Torah

readings, and the beginning of another.

I know of no church that holds Gods Word in such high esteem that it sets aside a special day

to honor it. Maybe we should encourage a new tradition!

Respect for Gods Word is becoming increasingly rare in western culture, and sadly,

even in many churches. Biblical precepts for holy living are dismissed as antiquated or

unenlightened, and Gods promises to Israel and the Jewish people are treated as outdated or

mere wishful thinking.

Believers need to hold fast to the authority of Gods Word. It is our comfort, our anchor, our

joy, the source of truth, and contains the answer to mankinds greatest needs. It is living and

active, able to discern the thoughts and intents of each mans heart, showing him his need for

a Savior. In the Bible, God also reveals His remedy for sina remedy that is the same for all

people, throughout all time.

Our world is becoming an increasingly dark place, and now, more than ever, it needs the pure

light and truth of Gods Word. It needs to know that Yeshua HaMashiachthe Word who was

made leshlived, died, and was resurrected for us. Centuries ago, the prophet Isaiah wrote,O Zion . . . lift up your voice with strength, Lift it up, be not afraid; Say to the cities of Judah,

Behold your God! (Isa. 40:9).

Our mission today is to boldly proclaim our God and His Messiah to the cities of Judah,

the people of Israel, wherever they may be. We are so grateful that you stand with us in this

important work. We could not do it without you. May God help you to hold fast to the truth of

His eternal Word, and bless you as you shine forth the light of Yeshua in our world!

Yours for the salvation of Israel,

Dr. Gary Hedrick

RECONCILIATION


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May God grant it to be so! This was the responseof Emud, Ruth Nessims Arab-Israeli plumber, whenhe heard Ruths solution for true peace in the MiddleEast. One day, their conversation started with a general

discussion of Israels political situation and thencontinued on to what Ruth believes will happen in theircountry. She explained Gods plan for the Jewish nation,and how He will pour out His Spirit and change Jewishhearts. Ruth also shared how many Muslims were alsohaving their hearts changed by God. Peace, Ruth toldEmud, can come only when God places love in thehearts of those from both sides. Such love is possible

only through the Messiah. That is the only way to truepeace. Peace treaties are not the answer; the Gospel is!

Inshallah, inshallah! Emud replies. We echo Emudssentiment, using the Hebrew version of Inshallaha

hearty, Amen!

Please pray for Emud and the others that God bringsto our representative in Israel, Ruth Nessim. It doesntmatter if theyre old, young, male, female, Jewish,Gentile, Palestinian or Muslim. Ruth loves them all inthe name of the Messiah. Pray that through Ruth, theymay also learn to love the Savior, and one another!

INSHALLAH

BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING

A CURE FOR ALCOHOLISM?

American Jewish and Israeli researchers are working on a projectto help treat alcoholism. The study, currently being tested withrats, shows that removing the memory of the pleasure and tasteof alcohol, also removes the memories of addiction, and hence,the desire to imbibe. For more about this promising research, seeThe Jewish Press (http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/jewish-scientists-block-memory-of-alcohol-use-and-cure-the-habit/2013/06/24/).

THANK YOU, MR. NAXON, FOR THE CROCK-POT

Did you know that slow cookers known as crock-pots were thebrainchild of Jewish inventor, Irving Naxon? Cholent, a traditionalJewish Sabbath meal of meats and beans, needs to be simmeredovernight. When Mr. Naxon saw how labor-intensive his shtetl-born mothers Sabbath meal preparation was, he began looking forways to make her cooking chores a little easier.

Naxon called his invention the Naxon Beanery, and sold itinitially to coffee shops and eateries known to serve beans. In 1970,the Rival Company bought the rights to Mr. Naxons invention andsold it thereafter under their namethe Rival Crock-Pot.

Ruth visits with CJFM Director of International MinistriesGideon Levytam in Karmiel, Israel 2010.

Ruth on a train journey between Nahariyaand Haifa in 2009.

Courtesy of Gideon Levytam Georgia Heisler

Rosa Say


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In the 1993 Oslo Accords, both Palestinians and Israelis formally agreed to educate their populations on the idealsof peaceful coexistence, acknowledging that each side has a right to the land. Twenty years later, according toeducation expert Dr. Arnon Groiss, Israel is still waiting for the Palestinians to comply. Dr. Groiss determinedthat in the Palestinian schools operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and using

textbooks funded by the US, Canada, Sweden, Norway, Australia, and others, Palestinian children are taught thatIsrael has no right to exist, that Jewish people have no real history in the region, and that true peace will never bepossible until the Jewish state disappears.

While it is true that there will never be true peace in the Middle East until Messiah comes, we should do whatwe can to encourage peace now. We can bring to light the hypocrisy of the Palestinian leadership, as well as thecarelessness (or outright anti-Semitism) of those who are sabotaging the peace process with these Palestiniantextbooks. Pray that such information will come to the attention of those in power, and that children from bothsides will have an opportunity to overcome stereotypes, and develop friendships through sporting events and othercooperative ventures.

University of California Professor, Michael Leitner,conducted a study of Palestinian and Israeli children,demonstrating the importance of getting past theofficial rhetoric and propaganda in the Arab/Israeliconflict. Prior to Leitners study, 52 percent of thePalestinian participants said they hated all Israelis.Following the study, in which Palestinian and Israelichildren played a number of soccer games againsteach other, a full 100 percent of the Palestinians saidthey would be happy to have Israeli friends.

Could it be that simple? Well, no. But such friendlyinteraction could go a long way towards reconciliation.Currently, Palestinian children are taught to hate Israeland the Jewish people not only through the anti-Israel

propaganda in UN-sponsored schools and textbooks,but also through summer camps! This summer alone,

a Hamas-run camp for Palestinian children in Gazawill draw 10,000 children between the ages of 6-16.Remember your camp days of boating, swimming,hiking, and crafts? Thats not for Palestinian children.In the Hamas camps, the children learn how to firelive assault rifles, avoid capture by the authorities, andabduct Israeli Jews. Tragically, children as youngas six years old (first graders) are taught the gloryof Islamic jihad. Pray that the day will come whenPalestinian children will attend camp with Israelichildren, and the field of battle will contain nothingmore lethal than a flying soccer ball.

Only the love of Yeshua will break through this cultureof hatred and death. Pray that the love of God will

penetrate both Jewish and Palestinian hearts, leadingto a true and lasting peace.

PALESTINIAN TEXTBOOKS FAIL TO TEACH PEACE

POWER OF SPORTS TO AFFECT RECONCILIATION

Tasja The apostrophe


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TOMBS OF THE PROPHETS

Earlier this year, we had the privilege of hosting aspecial 25th anniversary tour to Israel for our friendsat Maranatha Bible Church. Tour-goers had the uniqueopportunity to visit the Tombs of the Prophets, locatedon the slope of the Mount of Olives. Medieval tradition

identifies this catacomb as the burial site of theprophets Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, who livedin the 6th and 5th centuries BCE. Scholars, however,discount this tradition. What tips the scales in favorof more contemporary dating is the use ofKokhim, orshaft graves in the catacombs. These were not usedin Israel until the 1st century BCE. The catacombswere most likely part of an early 1st-century Jewishcemetery. According to inscriptions found abovesome of the burial places, Christians were also buriedthere in the 4th and 5th centuries BCE. Even if the siteis not the burial location of Israels last three prophets,the tombs offer interesting insight into first to fifth-century burial practices in Jerusalem.

Each of these cavities contained one body, whichcould be sealed in by a well-fitting slab of stone. Thebody would then be left undisturbed. This meant thatpeople placing a new dead body in the tomb werespared the unpleasant sight of decomposing bodiesfrom past burials.

When the body had decomposed (a year later), theslab of stone was removed and the bones collected.The bones were then placed in small individual stoneboxes called ossuaries, which often had the name ofthe dead person carved on the side.

The ossuary was either placed back in the shaft, or

in a common place, allowing the shaft to be used byanother family member. In family tombs (like that ofJoseph of Arimathea), the bones would be placed onthe floor in the center of the tomb, leaving the stonebench open for the next family member needing it.The Gospels report that Jesus was buried in a newtomb, meaning no bones or other remains were in thetomb (See more at http://www.bible-archaeology.info/tombs.htm).

Gideon Levytam illumines one of the kokhim insidethe catacomb complex.

Maranatha was the first CJFM tour group to visit the Tombs of the Prophets.Candles were needed to light the way through the underground tunnels.

This is an aerial view of the catacombs underground layout.The finger-like protrusions are the kokhim, or shaft graves.

R.A. Higbee

R.A. Higbee

amazon.com/Oxford Archaeological Guide


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CJFMinistries/Messianic Perspectives POBox345 SanAntonio, Texas78292 (800)926-5397 cjfm.org

MUHAMMADS MONSTERSDavid Burkay, editor

Find out why dhimmitude is important tounderstanding the war on terror. This bookanalyzes the threats posed by weapons systemsbeing developed in radical regimes, and explains

why unstable Middle East regimes continue to bepropped-up. Essays from leading experts, includingDavid Burkay and Louis Rene Beres, outline thebroad dimensions of Islam while filling in importantdetails. Careful to distinguish between moderateMoslems and radicals who have adopted monstrousmethods of dealing with the West, this is a work ofutmost importance.

Book (BB-115) 300 pages, $13

ANSWERING JEWISH OBJECTIONSTO JESUS: Vol. 3MessianicProphecy Objectionsby Michael L. Brown

The Torah doesnt speak of Jesus at all. Thisverse has nothing to do with your Jesus. As forreal messianic prophecies, Jesus fulfilled none ofthem. Using the Hebrew Bible, rabbinic texts, andthe New Testament, Jewish believer and scholar,Michael Brown, answers these and more than 35other Jewish objections to Jesus as the Messiah.

Book (BB-09) 255 pages, $19

THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESSby Dr. David R. Reagan

This exciting book focuses on the rise and fall of the

Antichrist during the Great Tribulation. The bookfeatures the opinions of 22 Bible prophecy expertswho were asked such questions as: Will the Antichristbe a Jew or a Gentile? Could he be a Muslim? Willhe be killed and resurrected from the dead? Wherewill his headquarters be located? Is he alive today?Contributors include Tim LaHaye, Ed Hindson, MarkHitchcock, Caryl Matrisciana, and Ron Rhodes.

Book (BB-176) 221 pages, $15

2013-2014 CJFM MESSIANIC JEWISH ART CALENDAR

This years 16-month calendar beginsin September 2013 and includes Jewishholidays and associated Scripture readings,as well as standard US holidays throughDecember 2014. Our calendar focus thisyear is on Gods eternal love for the Jewishpeople. Each month will be introducedwith the beautiful, biblically based,

original artwork of Israeli believer AmySheetreet. Plan now to order several ofthese calendars. They are practical resources for the home and office, and makewonderful giftsespecially for Jewish friends and colleagues.

Calendar (#32) 1 calendar $10,2-4 calendars $9 ea., 5-10 calendars $8 ea., 11+ calendars $7.50 ea.

Why We Should Pray for Jerusalem

and the Jews(July 23-August 12)by Dr. Gary Hedrick

A powerful appeal for Bible-believing Christians

to uphold and pray for the Jewish people andtheir Holy City (Psalm 122:6).

CD (GT-13 CD) $6

Great Women of Faith(August 13-19)by Rob Styler

CJFM director of missions, Rob Styler, teachesabout great women in the Scripture who maynot be getting their due.

CD (RST-01 CD) $6

The New Covenant(August 20-29)by Dr. Gary Hedrick

Does the New Covenant apply to Israel, theChurch, or both? Gary answers this question andmore in his discussion of Jeremiah 31.

CD (GT-26 CD) $6

The Day of Atonement(August 30-September 9)by Dr. Charles Halff

A detailed explanation of why modern,traditional Judaism has missed the true meaningand purpose of Yom Kippur, the most holy dayon the Jewish calendar.

CD (HT-27 CD) $6

BROADCASTS

August 2013

Resources


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BABI YAR MEMORIAL TO BE BUILT

GROWING IN GRACE AND TRUTHBIBLE CONFERENCE

In September, CJFM staff will travel to Ukraine to conduct an Israel conference forUkrainian pastors of the Baptist Union. Jewish presence in Ukraine is strong, evenafter the Nazis nearly eradicated the community in the Holocaust. The Russian-speaking Jewish population continues to fight an ongoing battle against anti-

Semitism, both in their region and around the world.After our 2011 conference in Ukraine, our team visited Babi Yar, the site near Kievwhere the Nazis savagely slaughtered nearly 50,000 Jewish men, women, andchildren. Monuments and plaques currently mark the ravines where the savagemurders took place, but the World Forum of Russian-Speaking Jews (WFRJ)

believes more needs to be done. They envision building an entire memorial complexon the site, including a synagogue and Jewish center. Leaders of the project saythat the new memorial site will allow visitors from around the world to experiencean emotional connection to the horrific slaughter that occurred at Babi Yar over 70years ago. The Nazis actually murdered a total of 100,000 in the Babi Yar ravines(50,000 of them Jewish)in a carnage that began on September 29, 1941.

According to reports, the memorial site will display historic material, remains ofclothes and belongings of the murdered, documents from the Nazi archives, a 3D

film, and interviews with survivors. The complex will be built with funds from aUkrainian Jewish philanthropist, and additional money raised by the United IsraelAppeal. Construction is expected to take less than three years.

Pray that the history presented at this new memorial, and other sites like it, will helpstem the growing tide of worldwide anti-Semitism, and restrain future generationsfrom similar evil. Pray also for our 2013 conference and the pastors who will attend,that God will open many doors to Jewish outreach in their land.

Ravine at Babi Yar where the Nazis brutallymurdered 50,000 Jewish people

CJFM conference staff and spouses stand at theBabi Yar Memorial in 2011

R.A. Higbee

R.A. Higbee

Join us for two wonderful days in the Word. Dr. Gary Hedrick will be the keynotespeaker at a two-day Bible conference to be held this October in San Antonio,Texas. The conference will feature in-depth Bible teaching in an intimatesetting, with the opportunity to dialog on contemporary issues of faith with threedistinguished Christian ministersDr. Gary Hedrick, president of CJF Ministries,Pastor Jim Bryant of Grace Bible Chapel, and Pastor Stephen Armstrong, founderof Verse By Verse Ministry International. Dont miss this opportunity to hear sound

biblical teaching on Israel and other pressing issues of our day.

Mark the dates on your calendar, and register without delay. Seating is limited.Visit vbvmconference.com for more information and to register.

October 11-12, 2013(4 p.m. Friday - 5:15 p.m. Saturday)

Grace Bible Chapel18911 Redland Rd.

San Antonio, TX 78259

$14.95 / Person or $29.95 / Family(age 12 and over please)no child care available

CJF Ministries August 2013 Newsletter

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