In Touch Quarter 3 - 2017

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FEATURE Julia Soakell Increasing our emphasis on prayer “Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.” Oswald Chambers The legacy of decades of faithful prayer for Israel and CFI is being seen in the prayer groups and churches of the nation, even as the absence of absolute truth, godly wisdom and discernment are seen in so many church activities, politics and thinking. Many of us cry out for a greater hunger for the word of God in our churches; for the revelation of God’s purposes for Israel, and for an understanding of the Hebraic heritage of our faith to be given to our leaders, both nationally and in the churches. We believe that God is faithful and has given us the privilege of prayer – prayer is the key. Here at CFI we want to encourage all our supporters to ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit on how to pray about these matters and with whom to pray. We ask the Lord for his divine revelation and guidance for all who stand in the gap for Israel, or stand alongside the Jewish community in the UK. We want to encourage those with a heart for prayer to use the CFI website prayer pages, where there are some details on specific prayer topics to help individuals and groups to cover special activities like the festivals attended by CFI and other forthcoming events such as the CFI National Conference and the UK Speaking Tour in September. Please pray too for our visibility on social media to attract and connect with teenagers and young adults on matters relating to media bias. We need to stand for godly truth and see Hebraic teaching in the Church. We need to pray for young people to share information with others who may be interested, or who haven’t come across such teaching, along with social media postings or news articles that may challenge and deepen their faith. As we see the forces of evil and bias against Israel using the social media platform for deception, we need to make truth and righteousness shine. We need to challenge lies and bad teaching, replacement theology and all distortion of the word of God. See our CFI Facebook page at facebook.com/cfiuk and CFI twitter at twitter.com/cfi_uk and encourage your church, friends and family to visit www.cfi.org.uk and the CFI Jerusalem website too. CFI-UK & in prayer For many years Christian Friends of Israel have had a strong connection with the Lydia Fellowship – an international women’s ministry of intercession with a clear mandate to pray for the nations, and especially Israel. This close relationship was a legacy of the late Jenny Forbes, who was a CFI trustee for many years, as well as being a loyal supporter, advisor and coordinator for Lydia in her own region and nationally. Through this connection, strong ties exist with the National Coordinator, Margaret Watts, the regional team and its leaders. Specific and deep intercession is made regularly around the country for the land and people of Israel, as well as for the ministry of CFI. Julia Soakell was invited to speak to the Lydia National Conference in May at Swanwick, Derbyshire, alongside David Tidy. She led the ladies in a session about the need for godly wisdom and discernment in the Church at this time, as well as the prayer needs for Israel and for CFI – here in the UK and in other countries too. The conference was a tremendous time of prayer and intercession for the General Election in the UK, for MPs and for the Brexit discussions. There was also intercession for the continued strengthening of the relationship between the UK and Israel in the years to come, in relation to the Balfour Declaration amongst other things. Many of the ladies signed up for regular CFI mailings and took advantage of the CFI bookstall. We now have several Church Links who represent their Lydia cells. We would like to thank the Lydia Fellowship, Margaret and her team for their intercessions and loyal support. PRAYER SUPPORT Do you have a heart for prayer? Why not use the prayer pages on our CFI website, where we have helpful suggestions on prayer and regular updates of areas which need your specific support. If you lead a group that prays for Israel and would like to be on our CFI Prayer Contacts listing, let us know – we hope to be able to send out direct requests for strategic prayer in the days and months to come, as the needs arise. Contact: julia.soakell@cfi.org.uk 10 IN TOUCH • 3 rd Quarter 2017 www.cfi.org.uk
FEATURE A time for Social Media Engagement By Matthew Soakell Do you remember when personal computers were a new development and everyone was a bit skeptical? Then came the Internet; and that was scary, and it too had its skeptics. Then you could purchase things on the Internet: groceries, electronics and software – some things that didn’t even exist in a physical form! You could download things. And that had its skeptics too. And then social media came along, allowing people and businesses to have an online presence and allowing them to communicate in this nonexistent space (cyberspace) that kind of exists at the same time. So we find ourselves in this day and age where more and more methods of communicating, making transactions and exchanging information are being developed using the Internet. In fact, over 50% of Google searches are now done on mobile devices. Thus having a social media presence is no longer just the next big thing, it is an important part of communication. And that’s where we come into the picture. You’re the CFI Regional Links, Church Links and prayer group members. Ours are the voices speaking in our fellowships and local areas; or getting information into our fellowships, presenting a positive message about Israel and the Church’s Hebraic heritage to those around us. And this is important. We’re now at a time in history when social media plays a huge part in the spreading of breaking news and people’s opinions. To underestimate the influence of social media would be a big mistake. ‘We have the opportunity to promote a positive message about Israel’ Matthew Soakell There are now more than 2.3 billion active social media users around the world. In 2016 the number of social media users grew by 176 million people. There are 1,000,000 new active mobile social media users added every day. That’s 12 new users every second. What does this mean then for us in our role with CFI? Well, more than ever before it is important that we encourage those who follow CFI and who have an interest in Israel to engage in our social media channels. There is such a huge wave of anti-Israel opinion online, especially on social media, that needs to be counteracted. We have the opportunity to promote a positive message about Israel, in a loving, compassionate way. Not driving up hatred against those who stand for BDS or for the Palestinian cause, but encouraging them to see the truth whilst following the apostle Paul’s advice. “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-2). So please do encourage those you interact with who are Christian friends of Israel to like, follow and share the content that CFI puts online via Facebook & Twitter. Encourage them to stand in the gap for Israel in the digital age. Soon there will be a generation who have known little other than social media, and so it’s important that we keep up in our methods of communication about Israel. REGIONALINK CHURCHLINK Update from Julia Soakell Since January 2016, we have promoted the new ‘Church Links’ and now have 35 around the country. We have now also created Regional Links (replacing the Area Representatives, some of whom have decided to become Church Links). However, we still have 17 Regional Links – including Glynis Brookes who is taking on York and surrounding area (see page 7). REGIONALINK We are delighted that Regional Link Kristie Daniel-Sam (nee King) and her husband Ivan, now living in Bolton, announced the birth of a beautiful, thriving baby girl Taliya Ellen, born mid- May, weighing 6lbs and all doing well. Our Regional Links are: Philip Aitchison – Scottish Borders Julie Archer – Durham & Tees Valley Sharn Asbridge – North Wales Moira Dare-Edwards – Essex Matt & Immy Elwick – Wiltshire area Caroline Geuter – South West Midlands Paul Hayes – Edinburgh Judy Johnson – Dorset area Kristie Daniel-Sam – Bolton Audrey Lee – Glasgow Donald MacDougall – Perthshire, Scotland Elspeth Masson – Northern Scotland David & Julia Soakell – Tyne & Wear plus David Walker – West Midlands Martin & Julia West – South West Glynis Brookes – York & surrounding area Philip Aitchison hosted a CFI Conference Day in Hawick, Scottish Borders, in May where Julie Archer spoke about Israel – Apartheid State or Political Accident? – a detailed study of Israel’s history in the land. Julia Soakell led the prayer session on the ‘Need for Biblical Truth in the Church and Understanding of Hebraic heritage.’ The Borders area has a legacy of strong and faithful supporters and believers over decades and we pray the Lord will add more understanding and support for Israel as a result of this rich prayer coverage. CHURCHLINK Many who have taken on the role of Church Link have developed their positions greatly over recent months, praying for their pastors and approaching new people with CFI free literature, making CFI displays for their churches. Church Link Yolanda Conniff held a fantastic event based around the ‘Forsaken Promise’ film and highlighted the Balfour Declaration and the UK’s position on Israel over the centuries. The response to the event was really good. Other Church Links are serving small ladies fellowships and Lydia Cells. Please thank God for these individuals who are making a great difference in understanding CFI’s core values and the biblical stance for Israel within the local church. Pray for each of them to be blessed and fruitful in their own circle of influence. We also have had many supporters asking where they can join groups who pray for Israel and have added more prayer coordinators to our data base. For details on subjects covered here contact julia.soakell@cfi.org.uk facebook.com/cfiuk twitter.com/cfi_uk 3 rd Quarter 2017 • IN TOUCH 11
Page 1 and 2: 3 rd Quarter 2017 • No 192 Christ
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Page 7 and 8: of Atonement (see Leviticus 23:23-4
Page 9: Nabi Samuel viewpoint during the 19

In Touch Quarter 3 - 2017

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