Myles & Katharine Weiss

Dear Reader,

Season’s shalom from a grateful guy!

Recently, as I reviewed and edited the eclectic Levitt Letter for December, this thought struck me: How full of wonder our Lord causes this earthly life to be. The approaching Hanukkah and Christmas celebrations remind us that history — His Story — is a love story from beginning to end. From the tree of life in the Garden of Eden to the heavenly tree of Revelation, God has reached for us. The first wedding in Eden, the first miracle (at a wedding in Cana), and the wedding-supper-to-come each speak of the greatest love of all time and eternity.

Messianic Leadership Roundtable

What a gracious God: a father, a husband, a friend, a lover, and a savior to everyone who answers “Yes!” His graciousness is why this holiday season is so very profound. God’s long love story had to include Hanukkah… so that there could be a Christmas! Taken together, these holidays (holy days) create a perfect picture: The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel) loves so grandly that He continually reaches for His own family and extends that reach to the entire world.

Katharine and I are in Florida, preparing to attend the Messianic Leadership Roundtable. It is a yearly gathering that brings Jewish pastors together so we can learn more about the Lord and each other’s ministries. Katharine and I are grateful to be a part of it.

This year’s conference focuses on dealing with stress and avoiding burnout, subjects that touch us all. I pray that as you read this letter, God will touch you as well. He knows you, and has known your name from before the foundation of the world.

O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. 2You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. 3You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. 4You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. 5You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. 6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! (Psalm 139)

For some, the holidays are stressful, reminding us of loss, family troubles, and difficult childhoods. I hope that the Lord will captivate your heart in a fresh and living way this season. Apostle Paul spoke of his suffering in this way:

16…Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,… (2 Corinthians 4)

That expression of hope came from a man who also stated:

Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. (2 Corinthians 11:25)

I thought of Paul’s testimonies as I recently trudged with my knee brace and hiking pole through Greece, Ephesus, and Israel. My left knee has no cartilage, so I will try to schedule a knee replacement surgery that will not affect our ministry more than necessary. These are what have been called “First World Problems” (FWP) — issues in First World nations that the fortunate complain about for lack of weightier concerns. FWPs must be viewed in the sacrificial light of Yeshua, Paul, and countless Christians who currently suffer at the hands of ISIS and other Islamists.

In Hanukkah and Christmas we People of the Book celebrate God’s preserving power and His singular salvation. Although December 25 is likely not His actual birthday, it is an appropriate time to say “Thank You!” Thank You for preserving the Jewish people and keeping the Jewish lineage of Yeshua alive, and thank You for such a miraculous salvation for Israel and the whole world.

Distraction with FWPs often prevents us from noticing the large and small ways in which God orders our steps and watches over us.

Katharine, Myles & Brother Yun on the Mount of Olives

For example: The spiritually powerful Chinese underground church has led a “Back to Jerusalem” movement for decades. These heroes of the faith are sending missionaries through the “10/40 Window” (the broad swath of countries between 10 and 40 degrees latitude north of the Equator, which includes parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia, where under-evangelized populations live). They preach to all the unreached peoples between those parallels. North to the Hindus, south to the Buddhists, and west to the Muslims, these emissaries fearlessly “go into all the world” (Mark 16:15).

One of their leaders-in-exile, Brother Yun (author of The Heavenly Man), saw our Zola Levitt Presents television series Jerusalem: Ancient Gates / Future Glory and sent a representative to San Francisco to discuss our program, especially the Eastern and Western Gates. The representative invited me to China to celebrate their 20th anniversary. This was a special honor, as they invited only 40 Westerners. Because of my knee problem, I didn’t think I could make another trip this season. I wrestled over it. I really wanted to honor their commitment to the Lord, and am always looking for opportunities to speak to Believers about Israel and prophecy of the End Times.

Then, during our recent TV filming in Israel, Brother Yun walked into the dining room of our hotel in Jerusalem! He was staying at the same hotel, and we were able to shoot an entire program with him on the Mount of Olives. He recounted for the camera his seven years in prison for his faith, and he drew a sharp contrast between his “light afflictions” and those of his mentor, who spent 40 years in prison, where his wife and infant son died.

Brother Yun & Myles pray for each other.

Brother Yun prayed for America, laying hands on me as a representative of the U.S., and allowed me to pray a Hebrew blessing over him, his family, and team.

God sees it all! From dramatic times, such as this “chance” encounter, to the small needs.

Another example: We were last in Florida almost two decades ago. Katharine and I came here to close my mother’s apartment after moving her to be with us in California. (Dad died when I was 18.) It was off-season, the beaches were empty, and Katharine and I were bobbing in the gorgeous ocean. She commented: “I packed well, brought just the necessary, and the only thing I forgot was a “scrunchy.” (Men, that is a fabric-covered, rubber-band thingy that women use to secure their hair in ponytails).

As soon as the words came out of her mouth, a scrunchy bobbed toward us from the sea on the gentle, azure current. I risk telling this; it seems so trivial. But I chose the deepest as well as the simplest examples to illustrate God’s provisions and His sovereignty. He is worthy.

In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:12)

Why not join us in His land this spring? He is still walking there by the Spirit. We would love to host you in the Holy Land. Please call Sandra, our Zola Tours manager, to discuss options at 214-696-9760. You may also email her at and visit levitt.com/tours.

Select your trip from our two spring 2016 study tour options:

Deluxe Israel (Israel only)Mar 13–22$4,288
Grand Petra (Israel & Petra)Mar 13–25$5,288
Prices include airport tax and fuel surcharge (subject to change), and tips.
Times of the Signs

This month, Zola Levitt Presents television programs continue our prophetic Times of the Signs series.

In this eight-program series, we encourage Believers to look beyond the troubling prophetic signs of our day and live in growing expectation of our Messiah’s return. We continue with:

Green to the Extreme
Extreme elements in the environmental movement are moving away from Judeo-Christian teachings and toward animal rights, glorifying nature as “Mother Earth.” This type of idolatry (also seen in many Bible stories) formed part of Hitler’s Nazi party philosophy. Elevating the environment by and for the elite tends to diminish the value of human life. As Believers, we don’t worship creation but rather the Creator. This extremism is a sign that points to our Messiah’s eminent return. We hear from missionary, author, and pastor Mark Musser.
Bethlehem Rewritten
Far from the romantic view of “O Little Town,” the city of Bethlehem today is a site of great tension. The few Arab Christians who remain here are caught between God’s Scriptural covenants with the Jewish people and replacement theologies powered by Islamic doctrine and the Marxist Liberation Theology. Too many people seek peaceful solutions while excluding the Prince of Peace. God calls people of all races to believe in His Son and join the household of faith, God’s household. Guests include Andy Woods, Randall Price, Jim Fletcher, Tim LaHaye, Jimmy DeYoung, and Bill Koenig.

A special seasonal addition!

Hanukkah
We present Hanukkah, the Jewish Feast of Lights that harks back to a time when a cruel, anti-Semitic dictator threatened to wipe out the Hebrews. But the Lord’s deliverer rose (foreshadowing Yeshua, the Ultimate Deliverer), lit the lamp of hope, and saved Israel. From generation to generation, Jews have lit lamps in their homes to commemorate the victory and retell the story of the Feast of Lights.

Another special program:

2015: The Year in Review
We review the television series presented in the past12 months, including Zion Forever, Joseph: Dreamer/Redeemer, and the introduction of Times of the Signs, plus significant events of 2015.

AND, a “sneak peek” into the upcoming programs for 2016:

The Year Ahead
From Jerusalem we preview the new series and programs that viewers will see in the coming year: Times of the Signs (new), Jerusalem: Ancient Gates / Future Glory (repeat), Days of Remembrance (new), and Out of the Ashes (new) in which we hope to illustrate God’s restoration from the death camps to the desert blooming and Israel teeming with life! L’Chaim!

Please help us produce and televise these broad-interest television programs with your gifts of funds. We reported in the December Levitt Letter that ABC Family— our largest broadcast network— is renaming itself “Freeform” in its continued effort to attract young, coming-of-age adults. This is a God-ordered opportunity for us to bless this vital audience with Yeshua’s message of salvation! I pray that you, too, will continue to be blessed by our ministry. Would you prayerfully consider a generous, tax-deductible, year-end donation?

And please, Sha’alu shalom Yerushalayim—Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).

Your brother and messenger,
Myles
Myles

P.S. Remember to thank God whether you, like Paul, are “abased or abounding!”

I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (Phil. 4:12)

Zola Levitt Ministries is ECFA approved and has Charity Navigator’s top rating of 4 stars.

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