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ANTICIPATION
God has not forgotten the Jewish people, and neither have we.
Telephone (210) 226 - 0421 Fax (210) 226 - 2140 E-mail info@cjfm.org OrderLine (800) 926 - 5397 Website www.cjfm.org
Dear Friend,
Have you ever looked forward to something specialmaybe a drivers license or graduation from high school or college? Later, you may have anticipated a wedding, a new baby, or that first grandchild. Remember the excitement you felt when the day finally arrived? Now imagine that youre getting on in years. You live in your nations capital, and occupying foreign troops are stationed everywhere. You love God and feel His presence, but you feel oppressed living under these foreigners rule.
December 2012
Lately, though, theres been a noticeable sense of anticipation. Something momentous is about to happen, and you will be there to witness it! Before long, you get that nudge from Gods Spirit, telling you its time. The long-awaited day has arrived. You run to the Temple and you see Him with your own eyes! There He isa little Baby with His parents. You look around and wonder why no one else seems to be taking notice of Him. Everyone is so busy, bustling to and fro, as though nothing out of the ordinary is taking place. How can they not know? As you approach, the mother and father smile knowingly. Have they been expecting you? Youre a complete stranger, so how is that possible? You gingerly take the Baby in your arms, and hold Him up toward heaven. For my eyes have seen Your salvation . . . A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel(Luke 2:30, 32). Simeon rejoiced to see Gods promised Messiah in the Temple that day, but he wasnt alone. Scripture also records the reaction of the 84-year-old prophetess, Anna. That pious widow from the tribe of Asher served in the Temple, and happened to walk up just as Simeon was speaking. And coming in that instant [Anna] gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem (Luke 2:38, emphasis added). We dont know what Simeon ultimately did with the news, but Anna shared it. The same should be true of us. The promised Redeemer has come. We cant keep that good news to ourselves. We must share it! Whether you celebrate the festival of lights during Hanukkah, or have chosen December to remember Messiahs birth, we wish you the most joyous of seasons. Your continuing partnership allows us to proclaim that the Messiah has come, and that He is coming again. We are so grateful. May God richly bless you in the New Year! Yours for the salvation of Israel,
R.A. Higbee
IN ISRAEL
Thanks to the noble action of two Israel Knesset members (MK), Amendment 17which provides 100-percent property tax exemption to facilities advancing the study of Torah (read Orthodox synagogues)will now apply to ALL faiths facilities of worship and religious studies in Israel, including those of Messianic Jewish believers. Of particular note: these two MKs represent ultra-religious parties in the Knesset. The Jerusalem Institute of Justice1 had filed suit, claiming that the original amendment was a flagrant violation of religious freedom and equality, and asking Israels Supreme Court to require agencies to apply the law equally to all faiths, or require the Knesset to amend the law appropriately. MKs Gafni and Zeev stepped forward and introduced the necessary amendment to the original law, and on August 2, 2012, the Knesset approved the amended bill. The revised legislation not only extended tax exemptions to the buildings of all faiths (including Messianic Jewish congregations), but also made the exemptions retroactive to March 2010 when the original Amendment 17 took effect. Millions of shekels in tax refunds will be issued!
The Jerusalem Institute of Justice is an organization dedicated to safeguarding civil rights, freedom of religion, and social justice in the nation of Israel. They also strive to pursue justice for Israel on the world stage, working to combat racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, Holocaust denial, and the delegitimization of the State of Israel.
1
Itzik Edri
IN BELARUS
Even as we plant seeds for ministry in Ukraine and Russia, our work in Belarus is bearing fruit. In Minsk, Larissa V. assists our Messianic congregation pastorpaying calls on the elderly and other shut-ins. She reads the Bible, and prays with elderly congregants. Her visits with unsaved elderly Jewish people in the community include sharing the Gospel with them, whenever possible. She offers necessary human contact, and assists them with daily tasks that they can no longer manage for themselves. Whenever funds allow, Larissa also brings food, medicines, and other basic necessities in Yeshuas name. Sadly, most of the elderly must make do with only a meager pension. Larissa came to faith in 1997 at the age of 49, following the death of her father. Under communism, she had kept her Jewishness hidden; her children had done the same. Today, Larissa no longer hides who she isshe joyfully claims her place as one of Gods covenant people. She knows that God has a plan for her, and a future for the Jewish people. When she first came to faith, Larissa was encouraged by CJFM staff in Belarus to read the Scriptures, and attend their Messianic fellowship. She did, and immediately found love and acceptance. Larissa also quickly noticed that many of the congregations elderly members needed help, and she began doing for them what she could no longer do for her own parents. We are so blessed to have Larissa, and other dedicated believers like her, as part of our team in Belarus. If you would like to help support our ministry in Belarus, use the enclosed response card or visit cjfm.org/give.
IN UKRAINE
In October, the worlds largest Jewish center opened in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukrainethe former home of CJFM representative Jenya Drazman. Seventy-one years ago, in October 1941, the Nazis murdered 11,000 Jewish residents of Dnepropetrovsk. By wars end, only five of the citys 80,000 Jewish residents had survived. The new center seeks to rebuild and strengthen the local Jewish community, and will be multifunctional. Museum exhibits portray Jewish spiritual values and demonstrate how they have influenced the world at large, Ukrainian Jewish history, the Holocaust, and the revival of Jewish life since World War II. Press reports also say that the center includes a synagogue and ritual bath, a luxury hotel, youth hostel, office space, kosher restaurants and halls, a bookstore, and classrooms. Profits from these businesses are slated to help fund charitable projects.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Witnesses in Uniform delegation march into the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. The delegations program sends hundreds of IDF officers each year on a special four-day journey guided by educators from the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum, to study pre-war Poland, the Holocaust, and contemporary Jewish-Polish life.
Photo courtesy of Israel Defense Forces
DEVOTED TO ISRAEL
by Murray Tilles The Jewish prophets called Israel back to God. Christianity began as a Jewish movement. Jesus gave His life for them. The Apostle Paul agonized over them. By dwelling on these realities we learn more about our faith, our Jewish roots, and about the Jewish Jesus. It is then that we can truly know what it means to love Israel. Israel and Jerusalem are in the headlines daily. People are interested in what is happening from a biblical perspective. There is a desire to learn and pray. During this time in our worlds history, it is imperative that we dwell not only on the geopolitical circumstances, but also on the spiritual realities of the conflict. In his book, Devoted To Israel, Murray Tilles will help you connect with Israel and the Jewish people through 70 insightful devotions and moving prayers. He will encourage you to understand our faith through Jewish eyes. Devoted to Israel is a book that will enable you not only to better understand the Land of Israel, the Jewish people, and our Jewish roots; it also fulfills Gods command to Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6). Paperback (BB-172) 152 pages $14
DECEMBER 2012
Resources
BROADCASTS
Hanukkah
(December 6 - 14)
by Gary Derechinsky
THE END: A Comprehensive Overview of Bible Prophecy and the End of Days
by Dr. Mark Hitchcock People everywhere today have sobering questions about what the future holds, and Gods Word is the only place we can find sure answers. And yet, when answers are most needed, the Church has failed to provide them. The End seeks to address this important subject. It explains the foundational issues of biblical prophecy (interpretation of prophecy, the biblical covenants, and key prophetic passages), the main events, the important players, and a chronology of end time events. In this book, the end times are laid out chronologically, various views of the rapture and millennium are discussed, and both premillennial and pretribulational views are presented and defended. Dr. Hitchcock is a recognized authority on prophecy. His numerous books have sold more than 500,000 copies. Book (BB-177) 528 pages $20
Jewish believer Gary Derechinsky tells the ancient story of Hanukkahthe battle for religious freedom foretold in Daniel, and the coming of the Messiahthe Light of the world. A wonderful look into Jewish history and the celebration of Hanukkah today. CD (DT-01 CD) $6
Never underestimate the importance of your role in ministry. Your faithful prayers and generous support make this work possible. Your gifts allow us to send workers into the mission field. Because of you, we are able to proclaim the message of salvation to the Jewish peopleon radio, through print media, over the Internet, and in person; we are able to teach the Church about the Jewish roots of our faith; and we are able to equip and encourage Messianic Jewish believers worldwide. None of this would be possible without you. We thank you, and appreciate each and every gift you send us throughout the year. Some of you may also be considering a special year-end gift, especially in lieu of potential tax benefits. Tax laws affecting charitable giving often change, so we strongly recommend that you speak with your tax consultant or financial planner before making any decisions. You can also call us at (800) 926-5397. Wed be happy to point you in the right direction.
A YEAR-END GIFT OF CASH Writing a check is the most common way people give. Mail these gifts to CJFM at PO Box 345, San Antonio, TX 78292. Remember, however, that envelopes must be postmarked no later than December 31 to be counted as a charitable gift for 2012. You can give online at cjfm.org/give, or call (800) 926-5397, to make a credit card donation.
Here are other giving options that may also provide you with tax benefits:
STOCKS AND BONDS Gifts of stocks or bonds may possibly save you in capital gains costs, and allow you to write off the gifts full value. Each situation is unique, so please consult your accountant or tax advisor. LIFE INSURANCE You may currently have a policy purchased for reasons that are no longer needed, or you may receive dividends on certain policies for which you no longer need the income. Your insurance agent or financial planner can help you direct these assets to CJFM. BEQUESTS The easiest and most inexpensive way to make a deferred gift to CJFM is to include us in your will or revocable trust. A bequest is easy to arrange; it is not payable until death, and therefore does not affect your assets or cash flow now. It can also be changed at any time prior to your death. If properly written, a will can also reduce the taxes paid by your survivorswhich will result in a larger amount of your estate or property being left for your loved ones or charitable organizations.
May God enable you to be a wise steward of all that He has entrusted to you.