A Messianic Jewish resource ministry about Messiah Jesus-Yeshua, helping others

to know Him, the Bible, Biblical Jewish roots of Christianity, Israel and God's plan

of eternal redemption and salvation.

April 2024 Menorah Light Mission Report

Dear friend,

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Dear friends,                        

xxI was remembering the time when I had one rabbi and 5 Jewish people within several minutes with whom to share why Jesus is the promised Messiah. Great exciting fun! Each week God is bringing more Jews and Gentiles to us to hear the Good News! Now, getting them to accept the Gospel truth is the Lord's part. But thank the Lord for being able to witness to hundreds of people weekly!

xxWe know that some seed is snatched away by the devil, some falls on rocky ground, some falls on poor soil and some falls on fertile soil. Where it falls, we never realize.....but....God is faithful, and we know that some of it (our efforts) will bring forth His expected fruit! Please pray that the seeds planted will soon result in salvation. Matthew 13:3-23 about the sowing of the Word of God, is one of my favorite teachings of Jesus.

 xxAccording to the Bible it is the Believer's part (responsibility) to "take", to "proclaim", to "preach" the word of Messiah, of Jesus, to the w h o l e world.  

 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who

 waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Romans 3:7

 xxWhat a joy, although it is most difficult at times, to share the Messiah. The world is crying out for help, to be saved from the apparent uncertainty. We know Jesus is the ultimate solution. In Romans 10: 13 -17 God says:

 For whoever will call upon the Name of the Lord will be saved......

And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? 

And how shall they hear without a preacher..... So, faith comes from hearing and

hearing by the word of Christ.

xxJacob, a Jewish young man referred to in my above first paragraph asked me, "Where does your New Testament come from?"  I responded, " Jacob, I will tell you if you first tell me from where does your Tanakh (Old Testament) came from." You see, he was clearly a trained person in confusing a Christian by getting them to acknowledge that the N.T. was written long after the O.T. and therefore was not (he thinks) God's instruction for Jews. Jacob was disturbed by my statement and pressed me to answer first. But, after some grasping for direction, Jacob said, "From Moses and other Jewish special people." I asked, "And where did they get it?" 

xxJacob stared at me seemingly hoping I would not have asked, and replied, "From God."  Then I said, "The New Testament also came from God, by His inspiration through Jewish men (except Luke maybe, unless he was a Jewish proselyte)." I continued to share how it was not a strange Gentile book, but that it said the same message of the Tanakh (O.T.)...... of God's love and plan for redemption through His promised Messiah.

xxJacob and I continued to talk for over one hour about Jesus, Scripture, God, Jewish thought and traditional Orthodox religious things and, about the modern state of Israel. What I found was that his heart was very open to talking - but - he was hiding behind a protective hedge of:  1. real lack of Old Testament knowledge, 2. 24 years of hearing from rabbis that Jesus was not the Jewish Messiah and, 3. belief the New Testament was not a Jewish book from God.

xxPlease pray for this man. He is not alone in his lack of real knowledge of God. Menorah Ministries touches the lives of many Jews like Jacob & Gentiles every day! Many difficult objections to the Christian faith come our way. We are a front-line mission ........ facing people "nose to nose". When witnessing we strive to be loving and respectful. To be compassionate but, most of all prayerfully bold. I believe that only through prayer and real Gospel presentation, will someone, Jew or Gentile, come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah of the Tanakh (O.T.)

xxOnce the seed is planted the harvest will come in due season. The lost sheep of Israel and the whole world will make a decision to follow Messiah Jesus or say no. Depending on the person, he will seek to know God or not. Only God knows who they will be. It is my prayer that everyone will follow the Lord.  Isaiah 29 Deuteronomy 4:29 Jeremiah 29:13.

It is your faithful support, involvement and prayer

that makes our ministry possible.

xxThanks to many like you who believe in local and world missions, we can carry out the work the Lord has placed on us. While we are a small ministry, straining and pressed and oppressed on every side it seems, we are blessed with friends who serve with us (volunteers plus prayer and support).  Please pray over our ministry area description listing on here.

xxPlease also join us as a co-laborer in the Messiah.  It is very exciting. Menorah Ministries - needs you. We are raising the awareness of the Jewishness of faith in Jesus and everyone's need of Him as their personal Savior! We want you to be involved with regular missionary work by our side. Perhaps you can help us do more for Israel, Colorado, our country, and most of all, for the Kingdom of God. Why not join in this missionary ministry? May God bless you is my prayer!  

xxIn His service, thank you for your prayer and support, God bless and keep you,

ccccccPastor Reuben Drebenstedt, directorcccreunen@menorah.org cccwww.menorah.org

I’m an Extractionist!

xxxxHave you ever had anyone tell you this? I was having a bagel and cup of coffee at a little coffee shop in Frisco, Colorado many years ago. I often would go there hoping to strike up a conversation with someone and be able to talk about Jesus. It was a small place and usually others would feel free to join in on a conversation if they so desired. This one morning a young man joined in to proudly exclaim that he was an “Extractionist”. Of course I had to ask what does that mean? (is there such a word?) He went on to explain that he took (extracted) from all different religions what he liked best and therefore he has designed his own religion. Isn’t that what so many people are doing today, actually designing their own religion that fits their own desires and needs, their “Designer God”. I’m thinking, how convenient but deep in my heart I’m crying, how very sad.

xxxxI run into this same type of people all the time now serving with Menorah Ministries. They often use different terminology to tell me the same thing, like: “Oh I could never believe in a God who says that”, “I do not believe that part of the Bible” or, “Jesus is for Gentiles, not for Jews”. I had a conversation with John telling me how much he loved God. When I began asking him some questions about his beliefs, I got answers like the ones stated above. I told him about my “Extractionist” friend and about what God through the prophets said about those who design their own Gods. Such people know nothing, understand nothing. Their eyes are sealed shut, so that they can’t see, their hearts too, so they can’t understand...A deceived heart has led them astray. Isaiah 44:18-20. We also talked about what Paul wrote in Romans 1, especially verses 21-23 ...they have become futile in their thinking; and their undiscerning hearts have become darkened. Claiming to be wise, they have become fools. In fact they have exchanged the glory of the immortal God for mere images…. John’s eyes and heart began to see that he was actually designing a god too, one that fit his desires. He realized that he needed to search the Scriptures to make sure the God he claims to love and wants to serve is actually Almighty God, Creator of the universe whose message of forgiveness and righteousness are only clearly explained in His Love Letter to us, the Bible. In fact, everything he has ever wanted us to know about Him is in the Bible!

xxxxThere are lots of confused people who talk with us, probably you too as we travel this path of life. Reuben and I both, at separate times, have talked with a young Muslim man. He seems to only know Bible Scripture taken out of context that support his Muslim beliefs. We have been able to show him more of the context of these scriptures and challenge him to rethink what he has been taught. Some people just shake their heads at us and still others will shout out their disbelief as they pass. Some will take literature but not wanting to engage. But many do ask good questions about why we believe Jesus is the Messiah! We are blessed by all that happens in our outreaches and as we live everyday life, especially when Christians encourage us or ask to pray with us. God never lets His Word return void!

xxxxThanks too for Your prayers! The attacks are numerous and varied but God faithfully continues to sustain and use us! Pray for Reuben and I here in the East Side Jewish Community along with others who faithfully volunteer, partnering at various Menorah Ministry outreaches.

In His service, unashamed, Shalom in Yeshua's love and faithfulness, from the Menorah House,

xxxxxxDonna, director donna@menorah.org

  Great to daily witness our Lords message to a needy dark world!

Jesus In all of the Bible