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Dear brothers and sisters in God's Family, 10/9/08 YOM KIPPUR 10/8 TO 10/9 Last
night the Jewish observance of Yom Kippur / The Day of Atonement began (read Lev.
16). Religious Jewish people began fasting at sundown and will end the fast today
at sundown. During the synagogue service the shofar / ram's horn will be sounded
to remind the people of the call to repentance. They also corporately and individually
confess their sins. It is their home that through fasting and confession of sins,
God will forgive them and bless their lives for the coming year. Ultra Orthodox
Chasidic Jews may sacrifice a chicken and swing it over the heard of their children
and themselves while they confess their sins. They recognize the need for blood
atonement but not the fulfillment of this through Jesus.
PLEASE PRAY:
That the Holy Spirit of God would convict Jewish hearts around the world during
this time of sin, righteousness and judgment, and in kindness lead them to repentance.
That in that kindness would be revelation that it is impossible to atone for our
own sin and to be made righteous by our own efforts, that there would be revelation
about the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
That there would be revelation about the Blood of Messiah—that the blood of bulls
and goats in the past, or of a chicken today, is not enough.
For Israel's protection from her enemies during this day. Exactly 35 years ago she
was attacked by Egypt and Syria while most of the nation was in the synagogues.
WITNESSING: TO THE GENTILES FIRST AND ALSO THE JEWS?
Paul wrote in Romans 1:16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the
power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then
for the Gentile.” Of course God is in charge and sometimes he reverses the
order. On Sept 29, David Jones and I visited an ESL students name Zhenya and his
wife Tatiana. They are from a city in Belarus that is only 14 miles from the Polish
border. They were raised in the Russian Orthodox Church, and attend a Russian Orthodox
Church near their apartment in the Philadelphia area.
I asked a few diagnostic questions and it became clear that neither of them understood
the grace that Jesus obtained for us by his saving atonement. They were depending
on their own goodness and good deeds to be accepted by God. However, they were open
to discuss Jesus. While Dave interpreted what I said into Russian, I explained the
wonderful forgives that Jesus bought for us with his precious blood. We spoke for
several hours. I used different illustrations to explain grace, and we read verses
of Scriptures. At the end of our discussion this young couple stood (the Russian
Orthodox way of praying) and confessed and repented of their sins, and put their
trust in Jesus. Dave and I plan to help them grow in their new spiritual life.
AND TO THE JEWS
I met a Russian Jewish husband and wife who are also from Belarus. Their names are
Mark and Bella. Mark is doing electrical work in out home, and Bella is assisting
him. Mark and I have hit it off and he is open to discussing the Gospel. Bella is
also friendly and has met some Jewish Christians in Philadelphia. Because Bella's
help isn't always needed, she began to read some of the literature I had available.
She found a Russian book that she is devouring. The book gives the testimony of
a Jewish European man who explains how he came to believe in Jesus prior to World
War II. I also gave her a booklet called “Ultimate Questions” by John
Blanchard. This very useful booklet gives a summary of Biblical teachings regarding
God and man's sin dilemma and mankind's purpose. Pray that God will continue to
bless our contact with this family and Mark and Bella will believe in Jesus .
PREACHING ON SUKKOT / FEAST OF TABERNACLE 10/17 I am preaching at Rock of Israel
on Friday 10/17 on Sukkot / The Feast of Tabernacle. The service begins at 7:45
PM. We have a potluck meal at 7 PM before the service. We welcome you to join us,
and If you have a Jewish friend who is open, please consider bringing them to our
meal and to hear and see this PowerPoint illustrated message of hope. Rock of Israel
meets in Bethesda Presbyterian Church, 808 Red Lion Rd., Philadelphia, PA 19119.
For directions call my home office number below.
$$ FINANCIAL UPDATE $$ In my previous updates I mentioned our financial burden from
recent expenses. Several donors have provided special gifts that have reduced our
need to $1,4230. If you would like to help us further reduce our financial need,
you can send a check to the address below or make an online donation at AMMI's website
also listed below.
Shalom in Jesus,
Ron Elkin, Director AMMI Ministry P.O. Box 52785, Phila. PA 19115 215-843-1764 (home)
267-679-9299 (cell) 215-843-7964 fax http://www.ammiministry.org
