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Myles & Katharine Weiss

Dear Friend,

When times are dark, the light of God shines brighter (Isaiah 60:1–3). We are living in such a day. The planet groans, waiting to see the sons of God (Romans 8:19). We need a spiritual awakening in our generation.

We in the West have seen several waves of God’s goodness and glory. Great awakenings have come and gone. We need another one now.

Over the centuries, great men and women of God have arisen to trumpet the power and glory of the Gospel—and touched entire nations with the Good News. Eventually, the waves of the Spirit recede, and the nation that was blessed reverts back to its former ways—the “way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof is death” (Proverbs 14:12).

The best of times manifest the understanding of Genesis 12:1–3: Nations that bless the sons of Abraham will be blessed, and those that curse them will be cursed. In every generation, individuals and entire cultures have the opportunity to bless the natural children of God, the Jews. Those who bless Israel do well and prosper, and those who do not will suffer the consequences. Many countries have declined into extinction.

The late 1960s and early 1970s saw the last significant wave of salvation and faith expansion in America. The “Jesus movement” (its members were called “Jesus people”) swept through the young adult population, and thousands of hippies and seekers became believers in Jesus. It is notable that the spiritual renewal of that era coincided with Israel’s 1967 Six-Day War, in which Israel’s triumph brought Jerusalem back to the Jewish people. It also coincided with the 1973 Yom Kippur War, which secured the Golan Heights and some of Israel’s heartland—Judea and Samaria (aka the “West Bank”). God rained down blessings on Israel, blessing those “grafted in” as well!

Many of this ministry’s supporters were among the youth of that era and still faithfully serve God.

However, that movement contained an inherent weakness: It was essentially fatherless. Too many leaders rose to prominence without the benefit of spiritual oversight. Lacking the guidance of loving “fathers,” they became shipwrecked on the shores of religiosity. The “form of godliness” continued, but the warmth of an “Abba” (“Dad”) was not theirs. Performance orientation displaced the assurance of inherent love. Sadly, many did not even know that they were vulnerable. The Jewish hippies who figured in the renaissance of the Messianic movement were spiritual orphans.

One significant gentile leader in Israel founded a 24/7 prayer ministry and took it upon himself to stand with Messianic leaders in the Land. Recognizing that almost all Jewish believers in our era are first-generation believers, he determined to put a “fatherly” arm around them and pray for their well-being and their families. Too few of us have born-again, praying grandmothers interceding for us.

Thank the Lord for the “Barnabases” who have risen to stand with the contemporary “Pauls” on the front-lines of end-time ministry. Barnabas, you’ll remember, was one of the earliest Christian disciples in Jerusalem. He and Paul undertook missionary journeys together and defended gentile converts against the Jewish purists. May God send us more like these!

But a new wave is building. This ministry is working to make sure that the next Jesus movement includes a genuine understanding of the love of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; that it contains spiritual stewards who can impart that love to their disciples. They must know the will of God and the mind of God…and they truly need the heart of God as well. What a glorious time it will be! In the midst of increasing darkness and political sin, God is lifting up among us a company of inter-generational leaders. Watch God work as He marks some with a Barnabas-like compassion, causing them to encourage their charges rather than drive them.

Remember how Jacob labored for love and could not please Laban? His uncle continually “raised the bar” and treated him with disdain (Genesis 29). For love’s sake, and to accomplish the will of God, Jacob labored on. When honor and moral guidance replace the Laban-like “moving target” of performance orientation, God is served.

Believers now live in the dawning day when all the children of God will know Him. This speaks of “ginosko” knowing, the Greek understanding of intimacy. By knowing and patterning His inner character, we treat one another with inspirational respect and love. When people are encouraged, they reach for greater measures of inspiration and accomplishment. In my counseling, I have tested this theory and proven it to be true.

As a Christian therapist, I often deal with patients who have been (or believe they have been) trampled by life. I find repeatedly that when they are exposed to “edification, exhortation, and comfort” (1 Corinthians 14:3), they can turn their lives around and become useful, functioning members of their community.

Friends who work at Pixar, the award-winning animation dynasty, report that the corporate culture of the company sets a high premium on the concept that “there are no bad ideas.” This mindset encourages all workers to support each other in the creative process, with the belief that any idea may eventually blossom into a useful one. Wow! Fostering the creative process creates employees that are unafraid to step forward with a suggestion. They know that all creativity is valued and that they will each get a hearing. These are hallmarks of our heavenly Father’s love.

As an earthly dad, I want to foster creativity and adventure in my children’s minds and hearts. So it is with our heavenly Father. He is not holding court, waiting for us to make a mistake so He can jump on it, point it out, and noise it abroad. Quite the contrary.

He is the ultimate coach, patiently encouraging His kids to ever-greater heights. That is the heart of the next awakening.

An “Abba atmosphere” will infuse the generations and cause them to work together. I have seen this phenomenon as I help pastors understand the importance of Israel and the Jewish people. If I am gentle, humble, and patient (please pray for me, this does not come naturally!), many of them come to realize both the debt they owe Israel and Jerusalem’s central position in the unfolding end-times story.

Several weeks ago, I spoke to a men’s retreat at The Father’s House. This wonderful church of 5,000 Believers houses our Jewish ministry, Beit Abba (the Hebrew version of The Father’s House). The leaders asked me to bring a “father’s blessing.”

As the oldest pastor (LOL!) and the Jewish guy, I taught the 800 men about the grace of God in recovering whatever was lost through the inconsistencies and failures of their earthly fathers. As I closed my session, the pin-dropping quiet was interrupted by the sniffling and crying of men finding release, healing, and a new connection with their heavenly Father.

God smiled on us all. May He do the same for you.

My prayer for the entire ZLM community is that we will experience a new dimension of unity, love, and divine purpose. Will you continue to prayerfully and financially stand with Katharine and me and the entire ministerial team? Wonderful days lie ahead, but our ministry needs and relies upon your consistent backing to make the most of the teaching opportunities that God puts before us.


Isaac as portrayed in our TV series Sons of Promise

You have seen over the recent months and years our sanctified dedication to bringing you some of the most uplifting and inspirational Bible teaching available anywhere. Speaking of which, we are broadcasting a unique lineup of programs on Zola Levitt Presents this month. First, we conclude our 8-part series Sons of Promise — Isaac & Jacob:

L’dor V’dor (From Generation to Generation)
Jacob wrestles with God, and his transformation provides hope for us all. Myles interviews his own first-born son, Jonathan, about the blessing of a Yeshua-centered home life.

In a refreshing interlude, Katharine and I will answer viewer letters and catch up with you on the air:

Letters from Viewers
Myles and Katharine respond to letters and emails from viewers of the program and readers of the Levitt Letter.

Then we begin a new eight-part series, our timely look at the origins of the Church and the current, vibrant condition of the Messianic movement in Israel:

Acts: Then and Now … the Story Continues:

The Birth of the Church
Bringing Good News from the Middle East, Myles teaches about the birth of the Church, on location at the Jerusalem Temple’s Southern Steps. We learn how Evangelist Jacob Damkani, a Persian Jew, fearlessly brings the Gospel to Israelis.
The Good News
At Jerusalem’s Liberty Bell Park, Myles illustrates how the Gospel traveled west, with a positive impact on Europe and the Americas. The United States is a shining example of what the Gospel can produce—and how that is being challenged today. Katharine interviews Rita Tsukahira on Mount Carmel, where Rita leads a ministry for troubled Israeli Arabs and Jews and for refugees from Africa.
To Hear Something New
On Mars Hill in Athens, Myles teaches about what Paul encountered while bringing the Jewish Gospel to the Greek world. Demonstrating his mastery of cross-cultural missions, Paul drew the nations into the commonwealth of Israel through the cross of Yeshua. Dr. Dan Juster explains the theological connection between Jewish and Greek thought.

We look forward to more contact with you and invite you to join us on the 30th anniversary of Zola Tours this fall. Please join us for all or part of this life-changing experience.

Greece and Israel
September 24 – October 8
Israel only
September 29 – October 8
Israel and Petra
September 29 – October 11
Greece, Israel, Petra
September 24 – October 11

Call our travel office at 214-696-9760 or visit us at www.levitt.com/tours to arrange the pilgrimage of a lifetime. Katharine and I would love to host you in the Land!

Until then, as always, please Sha’alu Shalom Yerushalayim — Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem.

Your brother,
Myles
Myles

P.S. Keep your eyes peeled for opportunities to bless the upcoming generation with your wisdom and fatherly/motherly advice. To those who are young and full of energy and technical know-how: Please lend your vision and strength to your elders! Let’s work together for a reviving, spiritual season that looks toward Jerusalem … and the New Jerusalem!

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