Dear Friends,
I love biblical “future-think,” a term that denotes how Scripture can direct readers to look beyond their abysmal circumstances toward a preferred, hopeful and glorious future. Standing at the threshold of a new year, I’d like to share examples of biblical “future-think” and its “faith walk” applications that seem worthy for you and me alike.
Can you recall how an aging Abraham and Sarah had a less-than-hoped-for set of circumstances as Abraham approached his centennial marker? (See Gen 16:2a.) God urged the elderly and frustrated Abraham, seemingly a failure, to keep his faith up and not give up, something that’s all too easy at times (Gen. 15:2–4). Abraham persevered, difficulties notwithstanding. His unyielding resolve, we’re told, was finally “reckoned to him as righteousness” (v. 6) and was rewarded by the eventual birth of a dream child— Isaac (Gen. 21:1–7). That event was followed by Jacob, and the rest is history.
Fast forwarding the tape well over a thousand years ahead, Bible readers come to Isaiah. In his case, the chagrined prophet lamented the condition of Abraham’s kin in that day (see Isaiah 1–5) and prophesied that God would visit His unfavorable judgment upon them, including the destruction of their ancestral homeland (Isaiah 22:1–14). Even while castigating the Jews for their unfaithfulness, Isaiah assured them of God’s unfailing love, and prophesied that a glorious future still awaited them on the other side of His judgment (Isaiah 40:1–11).
In one place, Scripture speaks to those discomforted by circumstances and says: “‘Comfort, yes, comfort My people,’ says your God. ‘Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, That her warfare is ended’… ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God’…Lift up your voice, be not afraid; Say to the cities of Judah, ‘Behold your God!’” (Isaiah 40:1–9). These words were likely well received.
Wouldn’t the world be a better place if all New Testament teachers preached with such Old Testament grace? I think so. In any case, as I said at the outset, I love “future-think.” Encouraging reminders that God gracefully bears with His people’s lackluster performances not only gives me hope, personally, but also gives me reason to think that Christians do well to believe and act as if we have a glorious future, somewhere over the horizon.
Zola Levitt Ministries needed some of that “future-faith,” and some of that “Comfort, yes, comfort My people” talk in 2006, did it not?
In our case, following Zola’s illness and passing, his family and ministry weren’t afforded the luxury of privately grieving the dreadful personal loss. Public and professional issues, arising from Zola’s unexpected illness and transition to glory, impinged upon the grieving process. At the ministry level, unanswered questions—How? Who? What next?—created uncertainty.
With Zola in the waning days, Mark Levitt, Sandra Levitt, Ken Berg, and the ministry’s board wrestled with future-oriented questions. The upshot was that Sandra Levitt “stepped up” to assist in keeping her husband’s mission and legacy alive, and I was “brought up” to contribute and serve as the ministry’s principal Messianic Jewish theologian and voice. It all happened fast. We barely could catch our breath.
Immediately, we filmed a miniseries on Pentecost—in part to let you see the “new guy.” Then, Sandra and I co-hosted Israel, My Love, a six-part commemorative series on Zola’s work, followed by a contemporary, three-part miniseries on the escalating wars in Gaza and Lebanon—with Sandra, herself, actually going to the front lines to offer unbiased coverage. (What a witness!) We steadied our pace to produce an eight-part evangelistic series entitled The Gospel According to Isaiah, a three-part Hanukkah special, and a year-end series highlighting famous people whom Sandra and I interviewed in Israel. An end-times series we recently filmed in Israel, called Daniel and the Last Days’ Battle for Planet Earth, is in postproduction. Scheduled to air in late January or early February, it awaits Sandra’s and my studio segments. In all, we created 44 new television programs this year—16 more than last year!
Our next series showcases female heros of faith in Scripture. I think you’ll love this one. In addition, we are kicking around two other series options. In one, entitled In the Footsteps of the Rabbi from Tarsus, I would travel throughout ancient Asia Minor and Greece retracing Paul’s footsteps and exploring the Jewish roots of Paul, the famous rabbi-turned-reverend. The other, tentatively called Lights Out on Christian Europe, would be more politically oriented—with a prophetic edge—discussing Europe’s abandonment of its Judeo-Christian values and consequential succumbing to rapid and destructive Islamization. Both series excite me. Let me know if you have any preferences, please.
We have been busy—real busy, and I expect the pace to continue. Not just with television, but also our with two monthly newsletters, three tours to Israel, dozens of speaking engagements, the correspondence course, several mission trips to Israel and the many facets of www.levitt.com.
Through 2006, I know I should have simply “looked to the Lord” and not paid a lot of attention to circumstances; but in the wake of being unexpectedly brought back into this ministry, I was curious to hear from you—as were my coworkers. I confess that part of me was looking to you—not just to God. The big question for me and for those who handed me Zola’s baton was: How would you, Zola Levitt’s friends and supporters, respond?
Many of you responded affirmatively. The letters poured in, and thousands contained accolades and financial support. Your contributions have helped cover the escalating expenses associated with our greatly increased production activity.
Through memorial donations in 2006, some have said good-bye to Zola. It seems to me, as well, that many are saying hello to the future of Zola Levitt Ministries.
Treating us as your missionary to the Jews, I hear you comforting us and saying: “Jeff and Zola Levitt Ministries, by all means continue. Lift up your voice boldly and say to the cities of Judah, ‘Behold your God!’” I feel your personal support, and I am thrilled by it!
Aided by your cares and prayers, facilitated by the awesome power of television, and assisted by the various independent television stations and network distribution providers we contract with, we continue to tell America about an Israeli-based love story—the Gospel.
We’re preachers—but not the average kind.
With a Jewish Messiah in our ministry’s heart, and with Jewish-related concerns and perspectives in our ministry’s mind, we open the sacred Jewish book—the Scripture—and proclaim that God’s comfort and grace extend to all people through the Messiah Jesus. Contrary to many churches and individuals, however, we remind that “all people” still includes Jewish people, Jesus’ people.
Not everyone loves Jews as much as we do.
Though the Jews are often unappreciated and even disdained, the Lord has “raised up” some to boldly stand with us against anti-Semitism, and to express appreciation and affection for the Jews. I speak to these people and, in certain respects, for these people—for you, that is.
Back in 2006, I wondered if you who helped Zola lay this ministry’s foundation would continue to support me as I built upon it. Here in 2007, I have reason to believe that the answer is a resounding “yes.” Thank you.
In the spirit of personally making some new friends, and cementing relationships with old ones, I’d like to invite you to join me on an upcoming trip to Israel—one slated for March 2007. Our Deluxe Tour (Israel only) will go from March 18–28, and the Grand Petra Tour (Israel plus an extension to Petra) also will start on March 18 but continues until April 1. There’s room for you! Please consider yourself invited and speak to Tony at (214) 696-9760 during office hours or call 1-800-WONDERS (1-800-966-3377) anytime. Or you may wish to save the dates for our Discovery Tour, June 5–15.
Speaking of friendship, if you would welcome me to speak at your church home, I would be pleased to respond to the invitation. I am not a big shot! I don’t need to speak to thousands of people on a Sunday morning to make a trip worthwhile. My wife, Patty, who often joins me, agrees. We love churches, large and small. We ask only travel costs and a moderate, recommended gift to the ministry. For details, please visit www.levitt.com/speakers.html.
Sandra Levitt shares these sentiments as well. Sandra, I, and a host of other able commentators are available to visit your congregation and share the message and ministry with the flock.
As I close, let me again thank you for partnering with us in this work. It inspires me personally that you take the time to read our newsletters, give us your attention, and lend us your support to keep this outreach going. I am sure that God is touched, too, and that He will reach out and bless you in a personal way as you join us in reaching out and touching the “apple of His eye”—Israel.
Your messenger,
Jeff Seif
P.S. Please note that, unless you ask otherwise, we will count gifts with ’06 postmarks as ’06 contributions, thus giving you the same tax deduction as available for gifts made earlier in the year.
Dear Jeff,
Congratulations on creating 44 new TV programs during 2006, a good sign that you and your team were blessed with “future-faith” and “future-think.”
“Here is my gift for January. Godspeed on your new TV series on biblical female heros, The Rabbi from Tarsus and Lights Out on Christian Europe.”
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