August 2018 Personal Letter

Dear Friend,

SAYING GOODBYE

Before we begin this month’s Bible lesson, let me say goodbye to a special friend of Israel and this ministry: Charles Krauthammer. The following quote, posted this June, comes from Dr. Krauthammer on the Facebook page of “The Israel Project.”

“Israel is the very embodiment of Jewish continuity. It is the only nation on earth that inhabits the same land, bears the same name, speaks the same language, and worships the same God that it did 3,000 years ago.

“You dig the soil and you find pottery from the Davidic times, coins from Bar Kokhba, and 2,000-year-old scrolls written in script remarkably like the one that today advertises ice cream at the corner candy store.” — Charles Krauthammer (1950–2018)

As you may know, Dear Reader, Charles Krauthammer was a quadriplegic. He suffered a neck injury from a diving accident when he was a first-year medical student at Harvard. After a 14-month recovery in the hospital, he returned to medical school and graduated with a degree in psychiatry. He began his career in journalism in the late ’70s and early ’80s. He was a true conservative and an articulate defender of Israel. He staunchly supported the U.S. military during the Gulf and Iraq wars, hoping to see an end to extreme Islamic terrorism. A fine example of a “never give up” spirit, Charles Krauthammer inspired many and will be missed.

NEVER GIVE UP

Zola Levitt Ministries has maintained that “never give up” spirit for decades. How does such resolve bloom, and how can we Believers (“Believers” is short for “believers in Yeshua/Jesus as Messiah.”) emulate that same diehard spirit in our daily lives? James, the brother of Jesus/Yeshua clarified how to pursue such enlightened determination when he wrote:

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. — James 1:5–8

James’s first instruction on getting that “never give up” spirit is to request it from God. Seems simple enough, doesn’t it? But, do we actually do it … and turn to Him as often as we should? The Bible gives many examples of God answering His followers’ prayers. Here are a few:

• Abraham asked God for a son … and Isaac was born — Genesis 15
• Daniel requested the ability to interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dream — Daniel 2
• Moses sought help at the Red Sea — Exodus 14
• Samson prayed for strength to right a wrong — Judges 16
• The leper asked for healing — Matthew 8

Was God faithful to answer? Absolutely! He promised in verse 5 of our text that He would “give to all liberally” who asked. Unfortunately, praying for wisdom is often a Believer’s last resort. You and I can never ask God for too much, or ask Him too often. So ask!

Zola Levitt Ministries is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Texans are known for their “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” mentality. However, if the ministry had used that approach, it would have been “booted” (pardon the pun) off the scene long ago. So, please, continually pray for the ministry as it seeks the wisdom of God in this day. Zola would be pleased to see Zola Levitt Presents, the Levitt Letter, www.levitt.com, and our Holy Land tours continue. But, more than that, God is pleased!

ALWAYS HAVE FAITH

Secondly, you and I don’t have to wonder how we are to ask. James counsels us to “ask in faith, with no doubting.” God’s people have a life of unwavering faith. Matthew advises: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). In the context, Matthew speaks about food, clothing, and shelter. The big picture extends the meaning to adopting a “never give up” attitude.

James compared a doubting person to the waves of the stormy sea that the wind tosses unpredictably. The wind — an outside force — moves the waves, whereas God’s abiding presence accomplishes the unmovable faith of His people. David pointed to that fact in Psalm 23 when he said, “He leadeth me.”

I cannot overemphasize the importance of the next point. Please note what James wrote next about a wavering man: “He will not receive anything from the Lord” (James 1:7). Did you read that? Not anything … wow! What are we missing when our faith wavers? Paul answered that question when he wrote:

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace [emphasis mine] which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence [or understanding]. — Ephesians 1:7–8

MAKE A STAND

Finally, our commitment is imperative. The adage is true: “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” We live in a world that likes to jump from one experience to the next and commit to nothing — leave all the options open! That’s exactly what James was talking about in the verses we’re exploring here. As Believers, we must make a firm commitment to seek first the Kingdom of God and not waver from it.

If Zola had simply played around with the idea of starting a ministry that taught the Jewish roots of Christianity, he wouldn’t have left us such an anointed legacy. The Believers who merely toy with the idea of a life committed to serving God never know the satisfaction and peace that accompanies living in Yeshua’s spirit. And if we don’t involve ourselves in ministry, such as involvement with this ministry, those priceless “aha moments” will never come.

God honors a committed life! How Godly is the anchor for your soul?

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. — Hebrews 13:8

Renew your commitment to our Lord by joining King David when he declared:

I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. — Psalm 18:1–2

Notice the strength and security that David enjoyed by his full commitment to the Lord, calling Him his:

• Rock
• Shield
• Fortress
• Power and light of my Salvation
• Deliverer
• Stronghold — my refuge and unassailable cliff

Remember the lesson of this brief study: Ask God for wisdom in an unwavering, immovable faith. And please uphold Zola’s legacy of teaching the Jewish roots of our Christian faith to Jew and gentile alike. Will you prayerfully partner with this ministry as we make our way through the rest of the financially lean summer months? Your generous assistance will help us bring a wealth of fine Bible teaching by new, Jewish theologians on location in Israel this fall — perhaps some of our most inspiring TV programs ever!

P.S. I encourage you today to take the time to pray for wisdom about your financial participation in this vital work that God continues to use. The summer months are always the most challenging; so if you could send an “extra helping” before the fall harvest begins, our ministry would be most grateful.  

A Note from David and Kirsten

Thank you, Tony, for your inspiring message to “never give up.” Life is unpredictable; tomorrow has no guarantee. Commitment to following Yeshua, however, assures Believers that He will provide for our needs.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. — Matthew 6:34

Or as the King James translators poetically put that last sentence: “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

During the decades that David and I have ministered in American churches and abroad, we have discovered that God uses His human creations as vessels for supplying the needy. That way, we Believers all “get in on it,” as we receive blessings in return.

We wish this Personal Letter could announce: “Our bank account is overflowing. We have sufficient financial support for you to take a vacation in your giving.” To the contrary, that dream is far from reality. The silver lining to our ongoing need for material and spiritual assistance is an opportunity for you to play a key role as a soldier in our battle to fulfill The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20).

Would you consider being a vessel that God can use to financially bless this ministry … to continue Zola’s heartbeat for reaching the Jewish people with the life-changing message of Messiah? Aside from mailing a check, you could click on “Donations” at levitt.com or call 1-800-WONDERS (800-966-3377) anytime. Please prayerfully consider this request.

Zola Tours to the Holy Land

Speaking of life changing, we encourage you to enroll for an upcoming Zola Tour. You probably know that we take two trips each year. Every pilgrim we know has returned a changed — and energized! — person.

The Fall Tour will be our final on-location commemoration of modern Israel’s 70th birthday in the Land. Please contact Zola Tours manager, Sandra, at 214-696-9760, email her at travel@levitt.com, or visit levitt.com/tours.

Fall Tour 2018      

Deluxe (Israel only)	Oct 14–23	$4,488
Grand Petra (Israel & Petra)	Oct 14–26	$5,688
Grand Athens (Greece & Israel)	Oct 8–23	$7,388
Ultra Grand (Greece & Israel & Petra)	Oct 8–26	$8,588

Spring Tour 2019

Our prices include tips, taxes, & fuel surcharge (subject to change)

Deluxe (Israel only)	Mar 10–19	$4,888
Grand Petra (Israel & Petra)	Mar 10–22	$5,999

August on Zola Levitt Presents

This month, we continue airing the refreshed series Thy Kingdom Come, twelve 30-minute programs that search Bible prophecy to reveal the glorious future events awaiting all Believers in Messiah. Originally produced in 2001, Zola’s classic teaching on Kingdom principles never gets old. Moreover, we’ve brought the portions around Zola’s teaching segments into high definition. David and I introduce Zola’s teachings and music, and ZLP’s senior theologian, Dr. Jeffrey Seif, provides Biblical analysis.

The Wedding

At the beautiful rose garden next to the Knesset in Jerusalem, Zola teaches about the Believers’ wedding to the Messiah and its Jewish context.

The Second Coming

There is no better place for Zola to teach about the return of the Lord than the place from where He left: the Mount of Olives.

The Throne of Judgment

From the Valley of Decision in Jerusalem, Zola teaches on the judgment of those who will live and die during the Great Tribulation. The Christian Friends of Israel ministry blesses the brothers of the Messiah by helping Jewish immigrants as they return to the Promised Land.

The Kingdom Begins

Viewing the Temple Mount, Zola teaches about the beginning of Messiah’s thousand-year reign on Earth.

The Kingdom in Progress

From the Mount of Olives, Zola explains how different living in the Millennial Kingdom will be. Israeli-American Reuben Prager of Jerusalem looks to the future as he prepares Jewish regalia and artifacts for the next Temple.

Please remember to sha’alu shalom Yerushalayim! — pray for the peace of Jerusalem! — Psalm 122:6

David and Kirsten