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Grace and Repentance

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. (Ro 12:14-16)

Weeping with those who Weep: Tisha B’Av

If you had been at the Western Wall last Monday night, you might have sat and prayed or you might have simply stood, but what you certainly would have done is observed the beginning of an all-night watch for the following day. It is a historical day in Jewish history: Tisha B’Av, or the Ninth of Av. Tisha B’Av is an annual fast for what is often termed the saddest day in Jewish history. This date in the Hebrew calendar marks the destruction of both the first and second temples, the decision of the ten scouts (and subsequently the nation of Israel) under Moses to turn away from the Promised Land, the failure of Bar Kokhba’s revolt against the Romans, and the razing of Jerusalem in 70CE by the Romans. As the sun set Monday, groups of people began making their way down to the Western Wall, the closest remnant now to what used to be and the continual site of Jewish supplication.

Some had pillows, some had chairs; some stood, some sat, and some prostrated; some prayed silently, some sang, and some, true to the alternate name for the Wall, wailed. The fast lasted around 25 hours as people abstained from food and drink and traditionally also did not bathe, use oils or creams, or wear leather shoes. In an attitude of mourning they did not work, did not greet one another with idle conversation, and many sat on low stools. All these actions served as tangible reminders for repentance, outward displays of what was happening within both individuals and Israel as a nation. They also help remind us to continually present ourselves in repentance and offer prayers for those whose eyes are blinded, never forgetting about God’s people. While the fast is meant to commemorate the tragedies and hardships that have befallen the Jewish people in the past, in some ways it also reflects the persecution that still plagues Israel and the fact that her people have managed to survive through it all. It is these hardships that we pray against, this support that we work towards, and these people that we continue to assist and care for with the love of Yeshua, both in Jerusalem and in Switzerland….

We recently learned that the next 20 ft. container of NEW clothing from the Helping Hands Foundation in Sweden is almost completed and ready for shipping, Praise God! There were so many needy families and individuals that were blessed by the first container that was sent, so we are very grateful that the Lord will allow us the privilege of distributing another. Would you please pray for a smooth transition through all of the “red tape” in the transport world, and the necessary finances to cover all shipping and customs fees. Each container shipped costs about $7000 door to door.

It is donations such as these that give us opportunities to continue to minister to families like Sonia’s, who recently immigrated from Russia. Sonia lives with her daughter, Rita, and her grandson, Slava, Sonia’s mentally challenged brother, is also part of the family. Rita’s husband has returned to Russia, unable to live in Israel, leaving his family behind with no support.

They rent a small, cold, and damp apartment. All of their furniture they found by digging through the garbage. When we first met them and asked what they needed, they simply requested help with a bed for the mentally ill Slava. This is a needy family who went through an intensely difficult process of immigration. We have since had the opportunity to aid them with furniture and food coupons monthly, provide them with new clothing several times, invite them to Jewish feasts with our fellowship of believers, take them to see biblical sites in Israel and visit them periodically in their home. One of the most important aspects of our ministry is keeping in contact with families that we help and continuing to show them God’s never-failing love: the Bardishev family is just one example of this.

Also in July, some of our FZS staff had the opportunity for a brief retreat at the Schönegg House in Switzerland for two weeks. Sergei, Lena and Luda all had a wonderful time of rest and fellowship while rejoicing in the Lord together. We are nevertheless happy to have them back in Jerusalem with fresh vision and renewed strength!

ELIZABETH SAYS GOODBYE TO FZS… AND WE SAY THANK YOU! “I have had the opportunity to work with For Zion’s Sake for the past two months, and I am so grateful for everything I have experienced. I have learned so much from watching the staff on a day to day basis, seeing them put their faith in action and work with excellence in everything. While sad to leave, I look forward to hearing about where God takes FZS in the next few months and cannot thank everyone here enough for their love and friendship. God Bless you all!” Thank YOU Elisabeth for your faithful service and gentile smile you blessed us all with… You will be in our thoughts and prayers!

IN CLOSING… This may be a little off subject, however I thought the following information is valuable enough to share with you anyway and you can prayerfully discern its importance. The scriptures clearly tells us that our bodies are the Temple of His Holy Spirit and that He dwells within us!..

Don’t you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? (1Co 6:15)

The old adage, “You are what you eat” could never be truer than today. I believe with all my heart that we have a God given responsibility to know what we eat and protect ourselves from eating the wrong things if possible. One of the greatest sins in the US is gluttony. Food has become the god of millions. The God Word has much to say about man’s eating habits. Many sicknesses and diseases that are plaguing the world over stem directly from unhealthy eating habits. How should we eat? How much should we eat? Are health foods the answer to our poor eating habbits? Does the Bible address these questions? Yes, the Word of God has the answer to ALL our questions as to what is healthy for us to eat and how we are to eat…

Food: The Ultimate Secret Exposed –

EAT GOD’S APPROVED FOODS LISTED IN THE BIBLE: (By Betty Miller)

A good guideline would be to eat “living foods.” The natural, living foods are fresh vegetables, fruits, grains, meats and dairy products. The “dead foods” are those that are highly refined. They not only are expensive, but also in most instances do little to nourish. Many people are tired, run down and sick because a large part of their diets are made up of dead junk foods. We want to include at least an outline of some of God’s approved foods to help people get started on the road to proper eating. Although this list is not complete, it does give the basic foods that the Bible lists as good to eat:

Barley—Ruth 2:23 Bread—Luke 22:19 Butter—Isaiah 7:22 Corn—Ruth 2:14; I Samuel 17:17 Cheese—I Samuel 17:18 Dates—Genesis 3:2 Eggs—Job 6:6 Figs—Numbers 13:23; I Samuel 25:18 Fruits(All)—Genesis 1:29 Herbs (Leafy Plants) and Vegetables—Genesis 1:29 Honey—Deuteronomy 8:8 Meats—(Beef, Fish, Lamb, Poultry, Venison) Deuteronomy 14; Leviticus 11 Milk—Isaiah 7:21-22 Nuts—Genesis 43:11 Olives and Olive Oil—Leviticus 2:4; Deuteronomy 8:8 Salt—Leviticus 2:13 Wheat (Bread, Cereal, Pasta)—Psalm 81:16

(1.) EAT IN MODERATION: Ask the Lord to help you eat the proper amount of food. Eat only until full. He will help you. He loves you and cares about you “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” ( Philp 4:5)

(2.) GET REGULAR MILD EXERCISE: Walking is an excellent form of exercise.

(3.) FAST PERIODICALLY: Fasting not only helps us spiritually, but also helps cleanse the body of toxins that can lead to sickness.

As we seek the Lord in regard to our diets, He will gladly lead us in the right path. We must not get out of balance in this area and let menus and cooking absorb an exorbitant amount of time since this would be just as bad as ignoring diet altogether and eating anything we want. Here is a good verse to claim as we set our heart to overcome gluttony and the tendency to allow the enemy to tempt us little by little to fall into the trap of overeating.

“Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. 4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties” (Psalm 141:3-4)

Shalom and blessings in Yeshua…

Bradley Antolovich and staff