Shalom!

TUVYA ZARETSKY, CCCC INTERNATIONAL WORKER, JEWS FOR JESUS

Tonight, we light candles to mark the Festival of Dedication, identifying Hanukkah with our Jewish neighbors. We also remember that Jewish leaders challenged Yeshua (Jesus) during Hanukkah (John 10:22-24) saying, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ [Messiah], tell us plainly.” Jesus’ answer was simple, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep.” The works that He did are reported in preceding chapters as he confronted those same leaders (think of the blind man healed in John 9). Only sheep in the Lord’s “flock” heed the Good Shepherd. They understand what it means when Jesus says, “I and the Father are One” (John 10:30). This passage is a poignant reminder of the spiritual battle in which we are engaged, the opposition forces against the truth, and the Lord’s remnant who believe.

Ellen and I are grateful for your partnership in our Jews for Jesus ministry.This Hanukkah/Christmas season is one of the more fruitful times of year for sharing the gospel.  I’ve had opportunity to visit with five Jewish-Gentile couples in recent days!

Please pray especially for S— and his wife. They … attended our 2017 Rosh HaShanah service this past September. I was thrilled when S— e-mailed me after Thanksgiving to say, “I would love to meet and hear your path to Christianity.  My wife, who like me wasn’t religious, has become a practicing Christian. I’ve been reading the Bible with a minister and am considering converting.” Wow, I don’t receive e-mails like that very often. So, we met for a wonderful conversation. S— is seeking the Lord. He asked me to pray the Lord will give him wisdom.  Please pray with me for S—’s salvation.

On November 16, I presented a paper at the Evangelical Theological Society in Rhode Island on Jewish-Gentile Couples Ministry. I was pleased with the excellent reception. A copy of the paper is available online at my Box account. And my new outreach booklet for couples, Finding Spiritual Harmony in Your Jewish-Gentile Relationship, is now available online in the Jews for Jesus store.

As we look ahead to 2018, here are matters for prayer:

• I need Godly wisdom to advise our Behold Your God (BYG) Jerusalem outreach team.  They are counting on my campaign experience and expertise with ministry to couples or families in spiritual need. BYG 2018 is a big deal!
• I’m praying for effectiveness in training and for safety as I travel to Ukraine and Israel in January. I will prepare our Russian-speaking staff for ministry to Jewish-Gentile couples in the Former Soviet Union and in Israel.
• We continually pray for our ministry to Jewish-Gentile couples and their families.