May 2018 Ministry Update
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Shalom Aleichem,
Pruning…
A
t the Everlasting Nation Ministry house, which we manage, there is a perfect spot for a garden, but the garden has an unwanted guest, an old invasive tree which takes up most of the garden space, drops lots of leaves, and is very stinky! Apparently, the previous tenants thought it wasn’t worth keeping around either but instead of killing it at the roots they kept cutting and pruning the branches… what happened? The trunk kept getting thicker and stronger while the unseen roots kept growing deeper and deeper to receive more life-giving water. We recently tried the same thing by removing the branches, but they just grew back. So, we had to try another tactic…
The more the tree got pruned the stronger it actually got! As my son David and I were working on digging it out a few scriptures came to mind that brought the whole situation to a spiritual application.
Heb 12:5b-6
My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth – the father chastens those who He loves.
Every time people were trying to kill the tree they were essentially making the tree stronger. God sometimes allows circumstances in our lives that look and feel painful but fundamentally are for our good and His glory. God promises to plant His faithful followers where they will grow and even flourish, and He will receive the glory.
Living and ministering in Israel to the Jewish people can be difficult at times but we, like the tree, must come to realize the more difficulty on the outside the stronger we, by His grace, become on the inside. Those who were trying to kill the tree, by cutting off its branches, did just the opposite and strengthened the most important part of its hidden roots. The roots are what tap into the life-giving water which brings life on the inside of the tree so that when drought, storm, or even those who tried to destroy it came it was ready to withstand all that would come its way. Christians, like the tree, must learn to run our roots deep to the store house of God’s grace by faith and depend on the nourishment that comes from the unseen God who gives life giving waters.
Psalm 1:1-3
tells us what the righteous man, whose delight is in the law of the Lord, will be like:
a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper
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One of the “prunings” and challenges we face, almost daily, is the rejection of the gospel we try to communicate to the Jewish people. We are trying to bring them spiritual life by calling them to drink of the life-giving waters in the name of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach which literal means “The Messiah who brings salvation now”! It is our hope that they would recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah and learn of the joy of His salvation so that they too would have the great hope of being established like a tree planted by the living waters.
As ministers of the gospel, we have the hope of the promises of Scripture that we will be able to withstand all that the evil one sends our way as we attempt to minister to the Jewish people. The words of Jeremiah 17:8 are a great encouragement to us, and hopefully to all of you reading this, to remain faithful in following the direction of God’s leading, to continually proclaim Jesus crucified, buried, and raised from the dead, and ultimately to bring eternal life to the Jew first and also to all the nations. (
1 Cor 15:4
,
Rom. 1:16
)
Jer. 17:8
For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit
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With the interns, Kathryn & Emily, getting Bibles for distribution
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Our newest addition to our family! Our second granddaughter born to our son Casey and his wife Anne.
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The Western Wall was extra crowded for Jerusalem Day
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On tour with The Filipinos in front of the Jaffa Gate at the Old City .
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IKEA Cashier
– While shopping for furniture for the Ministry House we were able to strike up a conversation with the cashier. By asking a few simple questions about his life it opened the door for the gospel. We found out he was Jewish, and his family has been here for many generations. Just by showing a little interest in someone’s life you never know where the Holy Spirit will lead you. When we go back to IKEA we seek him out and follow up on our conversation. Rather than rejecting the gospel outright he was at least willing to take a tract and continues to speak with us.
Rabbinic Jewish man at the Tomb of David
–I ran into one Jewish man who was “guarding” the tomb and looking for donations which is a way for Rabbinic Jewish people to maintain their “good works”. I gave a few shekels which opened the door for me to give something far more valuable than money, the gospel. Once the “guardian” found out I was a Jew who believed in Yeshua he right away tried to convince me of my error and referred me to his Rabbi for “correction”. I told him his Rabbi cannot help me or him, and he will either stand with the Messiah or stand alone before God. Depending on the Rabbi’s wisdom verses the Messiah is an all too common problem among Rabbinic Jews. We need to pray that God will fulfil His long-awaited promise and open the eyes of the Jewish people to see the error of Rabbinic Judaism and come to Jesus as their Messiah.
Moshe – Teddy Park.
On hot days we often take our boys to Teddy Park to cool off in the fountains and meet people, especially Orthodox Jewish people since it is a popular place for them to come and enjoy the fountains. While there, we met a young man named Moshe who helps young, abused, abandoned, or orphaned orthodox Jewish boys. We got to talking and I was able to share my faith and talk about the love of Yeshua to him. He showed great patience and compassion to these young troubled boys which lead me to speak about the message of our Savior. We talked about the deeper meaning of the Tanach (O.T.) and Moshe, as an orthodox, realized it was more about the love of God and each other than just following man made rules of the Rabbis. There was one young boy who had a high I.Q. but wasn’t very friendly but there was another boy who was very friendly and responded to our kindness with kindness in return. He said that the young boy, along with himself, didn’t have a genius I.Q. but stated in Hebrew the phrase אינטלגנציה רגשית
which literally translated means “Emotional Intelligence”. I took this to mean we should strive to understand how to have empathy and love for each other. Christians are to be known by their love! I have been able to stay connected to Moshe via texting, please pray that the Lord will open the door for us to spend more time with Moshe for he seems very much open to the love of the Savior.
Claudia, Beth’s conversation at the fountains
– Beth met a young orthodox Jewish mom named Claudia who when Beth smiled and said hello, she immediately said, “I sense so much joy in you, which is so different than most of the others I meet”. Beth right away declared that her joy comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. Claudia promptly told her about her inquisitive young son who always asks questions concerning his origins, meaning of life, why he is here, and what happens when he dies. She said it exhausts her because she has no answers. Beth told her to go to the Tanach and read to him what God says. She said she doesn’t know the Bible like “Christians” do. Her husband studies the Talmud and they depend on the Rabbis for answers about life. This of course doesn’t help her young boy, so Beth directed her to read Isaiah 53 and also Psalm 22 to learn about the Jewish Messiah, Yeshua Ha’Mashiach for he will have all the answers to this life and the one to come. Beth told her the gospel and offered her a tract, but she was too afraid to take it. Hopefully, the declared Word will be enough to lead Claudia to question the Rabbis and the Holy Spirit will work a miracle.
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Pictured above is monument to the new US Embassy in Jerusalem
(notice the name of the Ambassador)
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IBJM-Asia Israel Trip
We enjoyed hosting the IBJM-Asia group of Pastors and guests from the Philippines at the Ministry house this past month. The group was a bit too large for the accommodations but, by God’s grace, it all worked out. They had a great time of touring the land, learning about Jewish evangelism, and serving the people of Israel. Along with the time they spent at the Ministry House here in Jerusalem they were able to spend time with all the other IBJM Israel workers as well as volunteer at Project Nehemiah. Besides the many tours around Jerusalem I had numerous teaching and training opportunities especially with the nine pastors to encourage them in their ministry to the Jewish people. They also participated in, preached, and sang for us at our congregational services. It was a great blessing and joy to be a part of their time here in the Land.
Interns – Kathryn & Emily
It has been a blessing having two of our IBJM interns with us this past month. They have been working on many projects on the Ministry House, and other areas of the ministry. Most importantly they have been here in Israel to meet the with Jewish and Arab people during their stay. They have been able to visit with those we have been working with and making new friends, witnessing, praying at the wall, preparing for Shabbat Meals, helping at the congregational meetings, and helping with the many practical needs of everyday ministry life. We are so glad to have them as our new friends.
Our congregation
The Road to Emmaus Congregation, by God’s grace, is growing. We have created a flyer with our distinctives, address, and service times to pass out as we witness and have divine appointments. Along with our regular Saturday evening meetings we have added a Tuesday prayer meeting, a Wednesday time of Bible reading & prayer at the Western Wall, and Friday morning witnessing. As well, we regularly invite people for our Friday Shabbat Dinners to show our Messiah. Besides our regular meetings Beth has also been able to host a lady’s prayer time and luncheons which is a big encouragement to her and the ladies. She and a few of the ladies have also been able to help out at a local soup kitchen.
We have a new Jewish believer who has started attending our congregation. He grew up in Germany, but his family is from Israel. He is looking to move back to Israel permanently and is thinking about joining the IDF. He is a young believer who needs to be taught in the foundational truths. Please pray for Anton that he will grow in the faith.
Along with locals we have seen many visitors from around the world and it is our hope and prayer that they will be encouraged to bring the gospel to Jewish people in their hometowns and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Bible distribution
We have been blessed to work with two local ministries who publish Bibles and other witnessing materials. Through their supporters they can provide us Bibles and materials in Hebrew, English, Russian, and Arabic at no charge to us for our witnessing endeavors. It is a real blessing to have such a resource so close by.
Jerusalem Day and Temple Mount
Jerusalem Day is the celebration of the unification of Jerusalem. Since the victory of the 6-day war in 1967 the Jewish people can not only live in the Old City but also visit the Temple Mount. Although they are not permitted to pray or do anything that might be perceived as a threat to Islam they and all of us are permitted to visit this most amazing site of the past and future glory of the Jewish people and all those who put their trust in the Jewish Messiah. Our congregation, along with the Filipinos, decided to visit the Temple Mount on this historic day. The crowds were large, the tension was high, and the security extra tight but it was an amazing time of reflection on the past and a great hope of the future coming of our Messiah to rule and reign from this very spot!
Moving of the Embassy
Just a few kilometers from our home another incredible event happened on Jerusalem Day with the moving of the US Embassy to Jerusalem. The US, along with a few other countries, decided to go against the world and declare what the Bible has declared over and over that Jerusalem is the God given eternal capital of Israel. The event was hosted by the US Ambassador David Friedman who just happens to share the same name as our son. It is an amazing time to be living and ministering in Jerusalem. Outside of the very sad situation with Gaza and Syria, by God’s grace, we did not see any violence at the event. Please continue to pray for the peace and safety of Jerusalem.
Friedman Family Happenings
We are excited to announce the birth of our second granddaughter, Lana Grace Friedman born to our second son and his wife, Casey and Anne.
David is beginning a preparation program for the IDF. It will be a seven week course where he will be learning Hebrew, physical fitness, and academic preparation.
Again, we would like to give a special thank you to each one of you who continue to support and pray for us and our ministry. We are very grateful!
Love and Blessings in the Messiah,
Scott, Beth, Abigail, David, Mark, Levi
לוי ,מארק ,דוד ,אביגיל ,ג'יין ,סקוט
“It is not opinions that man needs: it is TRUTH.”
Horatius Bonar
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Prayer Requests
Pray for the salvation of those who God has appointed for us to meet.
Pray for our congregation to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Especially for new believers.
Pray for those coming, especially for IDF Soldiers, to our Shabbat Meal time to hear the gospel.
Pray for our adult children back in America that they would continue strong in the faith.
Pray especially for Casey and Anne as they are raising their new baby Lana Grace.
Pray for our children Abby and David as they serve in the IDF and work to be a great witness and light of the gospel; for Mark and Levi as they play with the neighbor children.
Pray for grace and strength for Beth as she manages all of the tasks of homeschooling, entertaining, preparing for our weekly meetings, and helping with the needs of the Ministry House.
Pray for me that I will represent our Messiah properly in the teaching of the Word and the preaching of the gospel as we gather together with our congregation, as I walk the streets, and spend time at the Western Wall.
As always, pray for the peace of Jerusalem
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Sha’alu Shalom Yerushalim Psalm 122:6
Psalm 131:3
Let Israel hope in the Lord from henceforth and for ever
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To make a donation to our ministry please press here:
IBJM On-Line Giving Link
or call IBJM at (423) 876-8150 or mail to IBJM PO Box 1386 Hixson,TN 37343 and mark support for Scott & Beth Friedman
***Please do not post any information on the internet***
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Copyright Scott Friedman | The Road to Emmaus | P | 808-280-1407 | Email | scott@rtemmaus.com
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