Showing posts with label Abram. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Abram. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Count the Stars - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Count the Stars
Steve Martin


“Then He brought him outside and said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." (Genesis 15:5, NKJV)



Have you ever tried counting the stars? If you live in a city or suburban area, you can hardly see any stars at all due to the bright night lights that light up the sky, which prevent the heavenly lights from shining through to your eyes. You must get out into the country, away from the glow of mankind’s rays, to see the ultimate canopy of the Lord God, Creator of the universe. Then you will experience His awesomeness.

In the summer of 1973, fresh out of the Catholic high school in Waterloo, Iowa, (Columbus High, home of the Sailors!) I went on a mission trip to the hill country of northern Georgia. Blairsville, Georgia to be exact. Northeast of Atlanta, somewhat near the North Carolina state line. A group of older teenagers went on the six-week adventure to lead a summer Bible youth camp for underprovided kids, sponsored by a Catholic mission.

Being 18, I loved it! Quite the adventure driving my two-door, metallic blue 1963 Mercury Cougar all the way from Iowa, through Cincinnati, OH. It was a great time, forever stored in my memory banks. (Read the full story in my book, The Promise – One Man’s Journey to See God Revealed).

One thing I very much remember to this day were the nights, both black and white. At those late times of the finishing day (or the beginning of the new day, as with the Jews, as written in the Torah when God created each day), if the clouds covered all above you, you could raise your hand in front of your face and not even see it. It was that so utterly dark. Midnight blackness!

But if it was a clear night, looking up from these northeastern mountains in Georgia, the Lord God Almighty revealed Himself in glory, for the stars were fantastically brilliant. The heavens were filled with His creation in one of His very vast realms. Because of the sheer numbers, you could not count the stars. Wow!

Imagine the promise the Lord had given Abraham, beginning in Genesis 12, of the immense number of descendants that was coming forth of his lineage, if he obeyed. Once he had heard the Lord’s word to “leave your country and go to the place I will show you”, the promise for Abram (later changed to Abraham) was beginning to unfold. His reward would be great.

“Now Adonai said to Avram, “Get yourself out of your country, away from your kinsmen and away from your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, I will bless you, and I will make your name great; and you are to be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, but I will curse anyone who curses you; and by you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

So Avram (Abram) went, as Adonai (the Lord) had said to him, and Lot went with him. Avram was 75 years old when he left Haran. Avram took his wife Sarai, his brother’s son Lot, and all their possessions which they had accumulated, as well as the people they had acquired in Haran; then they set out for the land of Kena‘an (Canaan) and entered the land of Kena‘an.” (Genesis 12:1-5, Complete Jewish Bible)

Obedience to the word of the Lord, written in His Word the Torah, the Prophets and the Psalms (and all of the Bible), will always bring a reward. Abraham believed, and it was rewarded to him. And not only to him but “…all the families of the earth will be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3)

“By trusting, Avraham obeyed, after being called to go out to a place which God would give him as a possession; indeed, he went out without knowing where he was going. By trusting, he lived as a temporary resident in the Land of the promise, as if it were not his, staying in tents with Yitz’chak (Isaac) and Ya‘akov (Jacob), who were to receive what was promised along with him. For he was looking forward to the city with permanent foundations, of which the architect and builder is God.

By trusting, he received potency to father a child, even when he was past the age for it, as was Sarah herself; because he regarded the One who had made the promise as trustworthy. Therefore this one man, who was virtually dead, fathered descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and as countless as the grains of the sand on the seashore.” (Hebrews 11:8-12, Complete Jewish Bible)

In Genesis 215:1, the Lord even says to him that it would be an “exceedingly great reward.”

When we hear and obey the Lord, He honors our faith we have thus demonstrated. He will then allow His favor to come upon us, and He will provide covering and protection for not only us, but also for those whom He has given under our care and watch – our families, our churches, our cities, our nation.


Next time there is a clear night, drive out from the city lights, and look up. Try counting the multitude of stars if you can. When Abraham saw those very same heavenly creations centuries ago, he believed that the Creator would keep His promise. And He certainly did. Not even the hatred and anti-Semitism of all these past centuries could keep the Lord from fulfilling His promise to the chosen people the Jews, and all believers who call upon His name and were martyred for their faith.

Just look at the state of Israel today, and you know that the Living God, the Lord God of Israel, has indeed kept His promises. As Luke wrote in Acts 3:21, it is now the “times of restoration of everything which God spoke through the mouths of His holy prophets from eternity.”

Have you ever received a word from the Lord? You most certainly have! The Bible itself is His guaranteed Word to you. Believe it! Walk in His promises! See Him move in your life, your family, and even in this nation, the very one you live in.

Go out and try counting the stars some night. Sense the ever-living Holy Spirit’s presence lift your spirit to the eternal heavens. Have even more faith and believe our God the Father for even more of Himself!

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this,

Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc.

P.S. Listen to this encouraging word the Lord gave me on March 3, 2019, during our church meeting: "Resurrection After Decades"



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Now Think On This #396 - in the year of our Lord 03.05.19 – “Count the Stars” – Tuesday 3:55 am

Sunday, October 29, 2017

An Eternal Source of Blessing ✡ "All The Families Of The Earth Shall Bless Themselves By You" - Israel365

I will bless those who bless you And curse him that curses you; And all the families of the earth Shall bless themselves by you.

וַאֲבָרֲכָה מְבָרְכֶיךָ וּמְקַלֶּלְךָ אָאֹר וְנִבְרְכוּ בְךָ כֹּל מִשְׁפְּחֹת הָאֲדָמָה

בראשית יב:ג
va-a-va-r’-KHA m’-VA-r’-KHE-kha um-ka-lel-KHA a-OR v’-niv-r’-KHU v’-KHA KOL mish-p’-KHOT ha-a-da-MAH

Today's Israel Inspiration

One of the promises that God makes to Abram at the onset of his journey to the Land of Israel is that He will remain by Abram's side by blessing those who bless Abram and cursing those who curse him. God continues on to promise that Abram and his descendants will become a source of blessing to the entire world. This promise has remained in effect through the generations. History has shown that whenever a nation persecutes the Jewish people, curses ultimately befall that nation. When the Children of Israel have been welcomed by other nations, they have gone on to make immeasurable contributions to society, earning Divine favor for their host nation. Today, many non-Jews continue to reference Genesis 12:3 as an important reason to stand with the people and Land of Israel. The Israel Bible provides fascinating insights into the eternal relationship between the land, the people and the God of Israel. Studying Bible through The Israel Bible will deepen your appreciation for and understanding of this unique relationship.
 

I Am a Zionist

Learn why this indigenous New Zealand man identifies as a Zionist.
 

Using Genetic Testing to Establish Jewish Identity

A groundbreaking ruling by Eretz Hemdah, a respected Torah law institute, has paved the way to using genetic testing to establish Jewish identity. Though this is just the first step in a long process, it already affects tens of millions of people around the world who are discovering their ancestral roots in the Jewish people.
 

A Good Land

Deuteronomy 8:7 describes Israel as "a good land". For thousands of years, the Jewish people lived in exile and were unable to set foot in the Land of Israel. Despite this harsh reality, the Jewish people never forgot the beauty of the Land of Israel and prayed to God to return them to their land. The world watched in awe as the modern State of the Land of Israel was established in 1948 and the Jewish people were finally allowed to return to their ancestral homeland. Whether in Israel or abroad, the Jewish people never forget; Israel is "a good land'. Remember these words with this beautiful pendant which reads "it is a good land".
Save 15%! »

Today's Israel Photo

Cloudburst' by Safi Allman.
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Thank You

Please help us continue to spread the beauty and significance of the Land of Israel!
 

“Shabbat Shalom to Israel and Jerusalem”

It’s great to hear from you and make new friends from all over the world. Please send me an email and let me know how you are enjoying Israel365 (don’t forget to say where you are from!).
 
I pray for Israel as much as possible. God will save his chosen b people of they just call him into he answer. God is a good God. God will keep you'll in perfect peace of you'll just keep you'll mind stayed on him. Shabbat shalom to Israel and Jerusalem. The God of peace will soon come to you'll rescue. I pray for a hedge of protection around you, I pray amen. --Marquisha Jerry
Shalom,
Rabbi Tuly Weisz
RabbiTuly@Israel365.com
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Wednesday, June 21, 2017

V'ahavta (...and you shall love...") Hadassah from Jerusalem - “Just Say Yes”

V’ahavta  
וְאָהַבְתָּ    ‘…And you shall love…’ 

V'ahavta (...and you shall love...")
Hadassah from Jerusalem

“Just Say Yes”

“Now the LORD had said to Abram, ‘Get out of your country, from your family… to a land that I will show you…’ So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him.” Genesis 12:1,4

God said. Abram obeyed. He left everything- home, family, friends, country, all that was familiar. He was going… only God knew where. Abram trusted, completely. He said, ‘Yes’ by his obedience.

One night in 1979, God spoke to my husband and told him to take his family to Israel. To live. At the time, we had no idea why we would go to Israel. We weren’t missionaries. We knew nothing about Israel other than what was in the Bible and the news. We had no friends there. And we hadn’t a clue about Jewish immigration - Aliyah as it's called. We hadn’t even heard the word before!!

Clueless would adequately describe us at the time. 

The only thing we knew for certain - God said “Go”. We said, “Yes”.

With our hearts looking towards the Land, we spent the next 10 years learning and getting prepared. Finally, in 1989, we took our five children and followed the Lord to Israel. It wasn’t a Garden of Eden. There were probably more tough times than good ones. LOTS of ‘giants’ in the Land and, as we learned, in our hearts also. We were tested and tried and stretched. And…. we learned.

We learned who Y’shua really is and what a relationship with Him is like. We, on the battleground, became more experienced in spiritual warfare. We practiced loving when we weren’t loved. We experienced the Presence of God.

Through all of that there never was a time that we regretted our decision. We have now lived here for a combination of 18 years.

Haifa Bay - photo by Hadassah 

This week I was blessed to travel the Land for five days. From Caesarea, to Haifa Bay, to the Sea of Galilee, and Capernaum.  Down to the Dead Sea and then on to Mitzpa Ramon, a crater near Egypt. What a wonderfully blessed place this is.

While I was watching the sun come up from the crater and worshipping, I was overcome with gratitude. I cried out to God, “Why have we been allowed to live here?”

And just as at times before when we have asked this question, the answer was the same - because you said “Yes!”

Mitzpa Ramon, a crater near Egypt

Those who follow Y’shua have many times when He says to us, "Leave all that is familiar. Move into My will. Receive My promise, My task, My desire."

It is always so easy to start weighing out the pros & cons of obeying. But like Abram, God is wanting our unqualified yes!

In relation to Israel (which is what these messages are about), what is He asking of you?

Using the Word as your insight to His will and plan, where is your part?

What about sharing the Gospel with Jewish people who do not know their Messiah as yet? 
(Romans 1:16, 10:1)

To pray for the peace of Jerusalem? (Psalm 122:6)

To be a watchman on the wall? (Isaiah 62:6)

To comfort His people? (Isaiah 40:1)

If you are truly Jewish, to make Aliyah? (Isaiah 43:5,6; Jeremiah 29:11-14)

If you are Gentile - to help facilitate the Aliyah? (Isaiah 49:22)

Has He made His desire known?  He has a place for you in what He is doing these days in Israel.   

I would encourage you, like Abram, to say, ‘Yes’.

With our love from Israel,

Hadassah

Nissim & Hadassah
Jerusalem, Israel
June 2017

Hadassah and Nissim, her accountant husband, live in a settlement just outside Jerusalem with their dog Molly. After making Aliyah (immigrating) from the U.S. with their five children in 1989, they are now semi-retired and open their home to guests and those wishing to make Aliyah. When not busy with their 16 'GrandWonders', they enjoy a quiet life of study, prayer and learning to serve the LORD.


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06.21.17  #3