Showing posts with label Acts 2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Acts 2. Show all posts

Monday, August 15, 2022

“Small is Good” – Steve Martin, Love For His People Ministry

 

“Small is Good” – Steve Martin, Love For His People Ministry

Leading worship at a combined home group gathering. (L-R) David & Luana Peterman, Laurie & Steve Martin

Aug. 15, 2022 Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

Greetings to my family and friends of Love For His People Ministry.

What a joy it was to join our home group with Highway to Zion’s gathering this past Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, here in Charlotte, North Carolina. We have gotten so much life out of our own regular home meetings, and at the request of Cathy Hargett (founder of HTZ), had a special time joining with them. We now hope to do this at least 3x annually now. You are certainly welcome to come! Here is a taste: Ahava Moments With You worship time.

Cathy wrote the following in a subsequent email:

Blessings and love to you, Mishpacha (Hebrew: a family of believers)!

Yesterday at Kehila was such a blessing! As you know, we had a combined meeting of our HTZ Kehila group with the small group that meets at the homes of Steve and Laurie Martin and David and Luana Peterman. We were so blessed to worship Him together with all our hearts. We are already planning for future times when we come together with other small groups to worship Him.

The Lord is raising awareness in our hearts of other small groups of true Yeshua-followers, many of whom have heard the Lord, like we have, in a unique and “revived” way in these days. Many have gone through a revival fire during these last couple of years and are walking in an end-time renewal of their devotion to Elohim. It is our heart to gather from time to time with other Yeshua followers, combining our smaller groups in worship, so that we continue to meet in our separate smaller groups and also have times when we come together in a larger group.

During the coming days, we believe it is important to know each other and to be able to connect with each other and encourage and help each other when the challenges of the end times become more intense. Our drash (Hebrew: discussion) was on Ps. 133, and I pray that the unity of our love for Him and each other was truly like Oil poured over the head of our great High Priest, Yeshua. There was much interactive sharing and encouragement in the Word. We love you, Lord.

Worship was so beautiful, genuine, pure, and free. The ministry of the flags and silks was so anointed. And the hearts of every single person there were so unified in the worship of our King. Yosefa led a beautiful song, called “Kehila in Yeshua” during our communion time.

Then we were so very blessed to be led in worship by Steve, Laurie, David, and Luana. These beautiful friends are so anointed to lead worship. We praise Him for them. It is so time for “new wineskin worship”! The Lord bless you and keep you! Have a wonderful week! Shavua tov!!I love you!!

Cathy

Cathy Hargett Highway to Zion Ministries, Inc. www.highwaytozion.org Charlotte, NC 

After seeking the Lord more on what He is doing and how He is doing it, in conjunction with these gatherings, I wrote this message below, Small is Good. Be encouraged in the life found in Him.

And…one more time. One of the three messages David and I recorded for our series, Ahava Moments With You, entitled Friends, is a favorite of mine. In order to have a friend, you need to be a friend. Listen to it again, or for the first time.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin, Founder, Love For His People MinistryP.S.In less than three weeks my good wife Laurie and I head back to Jerusalem to spend time with our friends living in His Land. I look forward to sharing many photos and videos with you from there!
Small is Good 

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” Zechariah 4:10, New Living 

Americans like big. Real big. In fact, the bigger the building, the bigger the group, the more of whatever it is, if more is more than the other, the better it is. Or so we think.I am not sure when this idea of “bigger is better” came into our culture, but I sense it began out of a source of pride, affluence, and seeking to be quite well off, more so than the Jones.

Remember that old saying? How we must “keep up with the Jones?” Says who?

In these last days, when the shaking and rattling and rolling is occurring, by the Lord’s design and in His perfect timetable, that which has been looked upon as His will to build it all bigger is getting a re-work. In fact, He is taking us back to the original plan of the gathering of believers, in what we have come to call “church.”

“Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:43-47, NASU

During the birth of these first gatherings of believers in Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus Christ, they met from home to home. It was a pattern that had already been established by the Jews, as they generally kept their synagogues, their shuls, small. It provided more of a sense of belonging, family, and not getting lost in a big crowd. There were the times of the Lord’s appointed feasts for that. The main purpose of the smaller gatherings, in homes, was to give each an opportunity to share their Holy Spirit-inspired gifts and have real fellowship with one another while sharing a meal with gladness and sincerity of heart more fully.

For over a year now we have re-established a gathering of believers in our home, meeting regularly with 10-12 others, sometimes more. We knew them as cell groups in Michigan over 40 years ago, and the Lord has called us back to this way of “having church”. Often it is on a Friday night when we welcome Shabbat (Sabbath), the Lord’s day of rest, by lighting the two candles, as known from our Jewish roots in being grafted into the olive tree (Romans 11:16-18), praying His blessings over each other, singing worshipful and praise songs of both Jewish and Christian origins, and hearing a word shared by a teacher of His Word.

A most important part is the “breaking bread”, or oneg as is Hebrew, when we continue fellowship while eating the treats and wholesome foods that each one has brought for the enjoyment of the others. All this provides a truly shared experience of fellowship and intimacy in the ways of the Lord and with one another.

We do not despise the day of small beginnings. Neither do we look at these small gatherings in homes as just a fad that will go away. It is the Lord’s desire to strengthen, encourage, and build up His Body for the sake of all, from which we then can go into the world to share the heart of the Father, the Only Begotten Son, and His Holy Spirit.

As we see trusted relationships and standard families grow farther apart around us, we must particularly be at work among ourselves to keep our bonds of friendship and community strong. We must allow the Lord Jesus to be building us up together in the midst of how the world seeks to tear us down.

“We will then no longer be infants tossed about by the waves and blown along by every wind of teaching, at the mercy of people clever in devising ways to deceive. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in every respect grow up into him who is the head, the Messiah. 16 Under his control, the whole body is being fitted and held together by the support of every joint, with each part working to fulfill its function; this is how the body grows and builds itself up in love.” Ephesians 4:14-16, Complete Jewish Bible

I encourage each of you to become involved with a church that has a focus on small groups, in homes, and see how the Lord will grow your faith, your trust, your love for the brethren, and the world He so desires for them to know Him.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin, Love For His People founder 

Message #96 in this series – in the year of our Lord 08.14.2022 – “Small is Good”, Sunday, 2:00 pm in  Charlotte, North Carolina, USA


Steve Martin, David Peterman, Love For His PeopleAhava (Love) Moments With You Watch here:  Friends


Here is a taste of the worship time we shared during the Shabbat gathering our home group had with Cathy Hargett’s Highway To Zion regular bi-monthly meeting. The 23 minutes recorded was a bit cut short when the camera stopped and didn’t get started again. But be blessed as you can join in with us (as the drummer who added some background…) WATCH HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7zpd3I8QKU&t=1142s


I love recording and sharing my Walk With Me video series with you. A few weeks Laurie and I took our grandson Levi to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, South Carolina. What a joy to see the Lord’s creations in all shapes, sizes, and colors! Experience His love as His created beings display their glory in this wonderful zoo. Steve Martin
WATCH HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZE5eGEXYVA


Here is my latest book. SALE PRICES! Click here: Encouragement! Paperback, Kindle, and now HARDBACK!
Encouragement – first from Jerusalem, Israel, and then from Charlotte, North Carolina, USAby Steve Martin (published May 25, 2022)

In April 2022 my good friend David Peterman of Lancaster, South Carolina, and I took an Ahava Adventure (“love” in Hebrew) back to Jerusalem as soon as the skies and the Land of Israel opened up again. During those 10 days the Lord Yeshua, Jesus Christ, gave me words to share, which I wrote down each day to share with others. These make up the first part of this book.

The next section is comprised of messages inspired by the Holy Spirit from our home in Charlotte, North Carolina, beginning before and after the Israel trip. As the Lord would give me a prophetic word, I would start writing and He would further expand on it. Thus those words are written in the major section of this book.

Everyone needs encouragement. Every day. All the negative news spewed out from social media platforms and airwaves needs to be offset by the good news the Lord Jesus (Yeshua) brings to us. From the time He walked the streets of Jerusalem in the first century, to today in this 21st Century, He shares love from heaven and from this home in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Until He returns soon, may these messages uplift your spirit, reveal more of His heart, and sustain you as you walk daily in the direction the Holy Spirit gives with the grace and provision that comes with His presence.

SALE PRICES! To purchase on Amazon: “Encouragement – from Jerusalem, Israel and then from Charlotte, North Carolina” – Paperback $9.95 Hardback $14.95 E-book $1.99

P.S. Thanks Grandson Levi for holding up the new hardback version!

We look forward to hearing from you if you would like to invite us to come. Contact us at either Steve Martin (loveforhispeople@gmail.com) or David Peterman (rabbiahava@gmail.com). Further details will be shared as we hear from you.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin, David Peterman


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Love For His People Ministry P.O. Box 53 Pineville, NC 28134 USA

Steve Martin

STEVE & LAURIE MARTIN - LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE FOUNDERS My good wife Laurie and I (45 years in October 2022!), through the ministry of Love For His People we founded in 2010, give love and support for our friends in Israel and in other nations with friendship, humanitarian aid, and social media support, along with Steve's messages, and our Ahava Adventures trips to Israel. Steve has also authored and published 34 books. We live in the Charlotte, NC area. We have four adult children, spouses, and eight grandkids.

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Word for 2016 - Acts Chapter 2, Awakening in the Pew by Elaine Tavolacci Identity Network

Word for 2016 - Acts Chapter 2, Awakening in the Pew by Elaine Tavolacci

Identity Network
The past week as I inquired of the Lord concerning the coming year of 2016, The Holy Spirit gave me this word. He showed me a giant who had been lulled to sleep, battle weary, bruised and broken. This giant was burdened down by the cares of the world, misfortunes and sickness. Then I asked the Lord, who is this sleeping giant? Is it the enemy? He then showed me that this sleeping giant represented the body of Christ. Numerous Christians have endured horrendous trials the past year but they don't realize that they are a giant who is about to be "awakened."

The book of Acts chapter two speaks about how the Holy Spirit came into the Upper Room on the day of Pentecost when 120 people were gathered together in prayer and in one accord. There was a sound as a mighty rushing wind, tongues of fire appeared on each of them and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. The onlookers mocked them saying that they were drunk with new wine, but Peter stood up and said, they are not drunk as you suppose but this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel.

The Lord says; The sleeping giant is about to awaken once again. I am about to pour out my new wine in abundance. In this day of great acceleration, many of you will advance expeditiously into what you were called to do. Do not fear the shifting and the shaking as these things are necessary for My plans and purposes to come to pass. Every opposition that arises is an opportunity to come to a higher place, and every challenge that you overcome will bring you to another level. I am awaking My people with a zeal that will be rekindled, their strength will be restored and their relationship with Me will be renewed.

Cultivating an Atmosphere of My Presence

As you pray in one accord, you will cultivate an atmosphere of My presence that will transform the spiritual atmosphere around you. As you worship together I will open up the floodgates and you will be immersed in My tangible presence.

  
In this great awakening, the men and woman who are mature in their walk with Me will teach, nurture and mentor those who are coming into the kingdom. I am calling those of you who know Me to train, encourage and support them. I will raise up those who have been delivered from the strongholds of the enemy to strengthen the younger ones in their faith.

I will awaken those who I have called to be as Moses. They will raise up Joshuas to train men to be strong and very courageous. They will train them in leadership and to be tenacious in spiritual warfare. They will teach them how to be more than conqueror's in every battle. They will encourage them to pursue the plan and calling on their lives and never retreat in battle.

I will awaken the Naomi's to train up the young Ruth's. These are godly women who will comfort and teach the younger woman how to live a lifestyle of integrity, sincerity and respect. They will teach them how to walk in humility, wisdom and honor in their relationships. They will teach them how to be submitted to their husbands rather than being enslaved by them.

The Wonders in Heaven

I will awaken the Elijahs to train and raise up Elishas with a double portion of their spirit. They will train the young prophets and teach them how to be used in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. They will show them how to follow in their footsteps and be used in miracles, signs and wonders with respect and reverence of the mighty anointing on their lives.

I will awaken the Paul's to train up young Timothy's in prayer. They will prepare them how to live godly lifestyles, show them how to refrain from sinful ways, how to walk authority but in the fear and admonition of the Lord. They will train them on how to be strong in what they believe, fan the flames and stir up the gifts that were given to them. They will warn them against false teachings and false prophets, and show them how to endure hardness as good soldiers. They will encourage them not to be ashamed of the gospel.

In this awakening, those who are timid will become bold as lions. There will be wonders in the heaven above, and signs on the earth below and My light will shine out of the darkness. Stand firm as you feel the ground shaking beneath you because the days of the latter and former rain of My glory are on the horizon says the Lord.

Joel 2:23-24 Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God; for He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you -The former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.

Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

Acts 2: 1-4 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:17-21 And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.  

Elaine Tavolacci



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We are living in the last days, the times prophesied long ago, right before the Lord Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, returns. Even as He spoke to the prophets of old in Israel, continuing through Jesus’ time on earth, and with the early church, the Lord is fulfilling His promise.

His Eternal Word that He would pour out His Spirit on all flesh, and we would prophesy. Prophesy comes in many ways – through the spoken word, signs, dreams, visions, tongues. All are used by the Lord to speak to His people, give them guidance along the way, and show His provision for the plans He has for us. As we walk along His path chosen for us,

He desires to encourage and reveal His plans to us. He most certainly uses His Written Word. He also uses prophetic words. Here are a few that He has given to me. I am continually amazed at how He speaks, how He directs, and the assuring results of His guidance.

We need the gifts of the Holy Spirit operating in these times. As the Bible says, He desires that all would prophesy, in order to assist believers in knowing His will, and speaking to non-believers that we serve an All-Knowing God, Who shows us the way.

The gifts of prophesy, seeing signs and wonders, and experiencing His love through His fascinating methods is for all. I hope you are encouraged in seeking Him as you read these stores of how He moved in my life.

Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People