Showing posts with label Ahava Love Letter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ahava Love Letter. Show all posts

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Why Israel? - Ahava Love Letter/Now Think On This (Steve Martin)


Why Israel?


“Because I love Jerusalem, I will continue to speak for her; for Jerusalem's sake I will not stop speaking until her goodness shines like a bright light, until her salvation burns bright like a flame.” (Isaiah 62:1 New Century Version)


In 1979 Laurie and I, still newlyweds after two years, were part of a church group in LaSalle/Peru, Illinois. The former Baptist pastors, Stan and Dixie Buren, had gathered a small group of charismatics around them. Many of the members were seeking to be more involved with a national Christian movement called discipleship. To better achieve that purpose, we were invited to a conference held by Shiloh Fellowship in East Lansing, MI. The gathering was at Mackinac Island, in the very north of the great state of Michigan. Laurie and I made the long trip, with our two boys, Josh and Ben in arms, along with a few other carloads.

As a young couple (24 and 20 years old) we were fervently seeking the Lord. We wanted, in our heart of hearts, to be right in the middle of what He was doing. We were going to do what it took to follow Him, trust Him, and see His will come, on earth as it is in heaven. We were strongly committed.

The name of one of the speakers, Derek Prince, was familiar to us. He was an author too. The magazine, New Wine, published in Fort Lauderdale, had regular articles featuring five Bible teachers on a monthly basis. They were Derek, Don Basham, Bob Mumford, Charles Simpson and Ern Baxter. Personally, I devoured the messages each month, appreciating everything that was written. Derek was one of my favorites of the five. 

(To this day I have kept all the editions of the magazine’s publications from 1974-1986. Dick Leggatt, an editor of the magazine over its life span, is now President of DPM-USA, Derek Prince Ministries. Thank you Dick. And eight years after that Mackinac Island conference, in 1987, I began my eight years of working for Derek Prince Ministries, with David Selby, International Director, as my boss. Thank you David!)


Derek Prince

Derek spoke on the last night of the conference, Saturday, and shared a message based on a little pamphlet he had written. It was called “Our Debt To Israel.” The words, spoken straight forward, hit my heart. I knew there was something very special about what he was saying, and that I needed to understand it. For this I am eternally grateful, as he made the Bible’s words on the subject clear, as to why Israel.

Pointing out that the Bible itself was written and accurately kept over these several centuries, by God’s chosen people, the Jews, was the starting point. All of the writers - Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon, Nehemiah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah and more – were all Jews. Because of this reason alone we have a huge debt to the Jewish people.

But the most important reason of all, in regards to our debt to Israel and the Jewish people, is the historical fact that the Messiah, Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, was, is, and ever shall be a Jew. He came down from heaven, God becoming man, to the nation of Israel two centuries ago, to bring salvation to the world, both for Jew and Gentile alike.

In our daily reading of the Torah, the Scriptures, the Bible, as believers, we can know and understand the Lord’s heart for the Jewish people, through which He came, and His everlasting love for them now. We can see the fulfillment of His promises of restoration to them, how He has brought them back to their rightful Promised and Holy Land. It is now our part of our debt payment to them, to stand with them to the end of time.

Having been to Israel 11 times as of this writing in February, 2014, my heart for Israel and the Jewish people continues to grow in love and appreciation, with a firm, long standing commitment. Our ministry, Love For His People, founded by Laurie and I in April of 2010, monthly send financial and prayer support to Jewish families in the Land. We are always looking to do more, as God the Father directs.

Why Israel? Because without the Jews, which remain as God’s eternal choice to reveal Himself to the nations, we would not have had a Bible. Nor would we have a living Messiah/Savior.

The Word says that in the last days all the nations will again rise up against these whom have continually been blamed for everything that has gone wrong. Really? Well, it is about time that someone like us, as believers, prove them all liars, and that His eternal Word is true. We are to stand for Israel because the Lord God of Israel, Who sees them as the "apple of His eye", has promised to protect and keep them in His care. He has proven this over and over again.

Why Israel? Because God said so. And that is certainly enough for me and my house. May your heart and commitment be to do the same.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin
Love For His People
Founder


Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.

If these letters minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless known families in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

Go here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH  OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: Love For His People If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available). 

Contribution checks can be sent to: 

Love For His People, Inc.  P.O. Box414   Pineville, NC 28134
Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)

Please share this Ahava Love Letter/Now Think On This with your friends.

Email: loveforhispeople@gmail.com  
martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin and  Love For His People  
  
Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople and ahavaloveletter 

           Ahava Love Letters
           
  Full website: Love For His People


Ahava Love Letter/Now Think On This #107 - Why Israel?”   Steve Martin 
Date: In the year of our Lord 2014 (02.09.14 Sunday at 7:00 am in Charlotte, NC).


All previous editions of Ahava Love Letter/Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and our newest website: Ahava Love Letters







Saturday, February 8, 2014

Get the Gold! - Now Think On This (Steve Martin)



“Get the Gold!”


“Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.” (Matt. 6:19-21, The Message)


I love the Olympics! Be it the winter or summer games, I enjoy watching all the nations’ athletes walk in for the opening ceremonies, all dressed in their colorful and smartly dressed uniforms (as my Brit friends would say) and cultural garments, waving their flags and their hands to the crowd, as they proudly represent their countries. It is a great sight of unity among the people, and the hosting country always puts on a fascinating show. Russians, Chinese, Americans, Europeans, Asians and more have all hosted the grand celebration of completion among athletes. I commend them for it.

It amazes me each time a new country is represented that I have never even heard of, or a country is in the games for the first time. Especially the lone athlete carrying his flag by him or herself. I hope they do well and make new friends. They certainly have worked hard to get there too.

Training and coming together through teamwork, in preparation for the honor of their country and their sport, has been the foundation built on for the competition. It certainly brings out the best. The goal of standing on the podium after their event is completed, holding onto the precious metal of gold, silver or bronze is a grand sight, as their home flag is lifted and their national anthem is played.

As a former athlete myself, in middle and high school, I understand a measure of the effort it certainly takes for these competing. To spend hours, days, months and even years preparing; and then to give it all you have at that specific moment in time, when you have a few minutes to excel in an individual event, or as your teams goes through the bracket toward the championship game, is quite the effort. May they all do well, and accomplish their heart’s desire.

I am chasing gold too. Mine isn’t made up of the earthly metal, but it is being stored up as an eternal reward, to fit on my head as a crown. The King Himself, Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ) will be giving them out. And then we will participate in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb ceremony too. That will indeed be a "crowning moment" for those who have received His salvation through His shed blood. It will be a joyous occasion, as much perseverance and running the race He has given us while in our human body has been accomplished. I look forward to sharing that eternal time with those I have walked with, and those who I will meet for the first time.

While our time remains here on this planet, our hearts are to be set on stockpiling treasure in heaven, as The Message Bible puts it in terms we certainly understand. Laying up those crowns prepared for those who have followed in His plans and purposes will be the award, along with the eternal realm of heaven itself. This is not just a dream or fairy tale, but it is reality. Our labors here on earth are to be for eternal, not just temporal, achievements. My heart and yours must be set on that purpose.

Enjoy the Olympics as you can. Celebrate with the victors as they raise their hands and winning metals in triumph, knowing that your reward, being stored up in heaven, is a treasure worth living for in this time we have been given. This too is a shadow of things yet to come, for those who know the Lord Jesus.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin
Love For His People
Founder



Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.

If these letters minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless known families in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

Go here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH  OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: Love For His People If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available). 

Contribution checks can be sent to: 

Love For His People, Inc.  P.O. Box414   Pineville, NC 28134
Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)


Please share this Ahava Love Letter/Now Think On This with your friends.


Monday, February 3, 2014

Push Back - Ahava Love Letter/Now Think On This (Steve Martin)

                  
                           Now Think On This

       

Push Back

“Through You we will push back our adversaries; through Your name we will trample down those who rise up against us.” (Psalm 44:5 NASU)


As believers in Jesus (Yeshua), we are called to first stand for truth, and then take the ground. In some instances we will be taking back the ground already lost in a nation, including ours, due to sin that is continuing on the rise.

When the Israelites came out of Egypt after their first Passover, they were instructed under Moses in preparation to go into the Promised Land. It was to have been only be a short trip. But it took 40 years. Their actions of unbelief kept them out of the land that was to be theirs. Of the generation that miraculously crossed the Red Sea, almost all died off later in the wilderness, except a few. Unbelief had taken its toll. Having no faith in God will bring death.

Joshua, which means “salvation” in Hebrew (the same word for “Yeshua”, which was then translated Jesus in Greek), did lead the new generation into that which had been promised to the patriarchs. They believed that God was Mighty, and thus He able to do through them as He had said He would.

With Joshua and his mighty men as our example, it is time for our generation to take the land, and push back. Push back on the enemy that has stolen lives in many nations, murdered innocent babies through abortion, and destroyed countless young men and women, our children, through the use of drugs and alcohol. It is time to push back against the darkness that seeks to smother us.

The Joshua generation didn’t camp at the Jordan River for years, just waiting for the Lord to come and wipe out their enemies on the other side. For the land to become theirs in reality, they had to physically cross it. Then they had to fight for every piece of ground that the Lord had already given them. They had to destroy the enemy in the process.

Growing up in the early ‘70’s, my high school years, our cheerleaders would lead the football game crowd in a loud chant. “Push ‘em back! Push ‘em back! Way back!” Many other squads of the opposing teams had the same cheer, and the two crowds on opposite sides in the bleachers would compete as to who could be the loudest. (Except in our particularly case, it really didn’t matter how loud the parents and students yelled for us. We got beat more often than when we won. But at least we gave it all we had.)

The time is now for new leadership, as in Joshua’s time, to become emboldened and not compromise in speaking the truth. The time is now to speak in black and white terms, the reality of the situation. We can’t sit back and wait for the rapture. We must push back.

One way we can do this, as believers, is to push back in social media. Rather than letting foundational truths in our Christian lives get eroded away year by year; lies about Israel and the Jews go unheeded; abortions killing off future generations; or give up speaking up where we can -  we need to be the ones who take a stand and push back. It can be done, If you and I do it.

I am committed to posting daily truths on my Facebook pages, my Twitter accounts, and especially my blog. I ask you to do the same. The Lord has given us a powerful tool to get the Gospel out, and speak the truth through this media. We need to use it. Right from our couch, table or office desk.

Even as He established a common language in the first century through the Greeks, and laid access for the early church to travel on the extensive Roman built road system, He has brought forth modern technology to reach our nation, and all the nations. We need to use it for His purposes. We each can do that from our own homes.

Push back. And then keep pushing back. We are called to be lights in the world. Let’s do it, with His wisdom and the provision He has given us.

Here is one last thought. An easy way to be a part of pushing back is simply to share this message on your Facebook page; tweet the link on your Twitter account, or e-mail to others. Why not? (If you don’t have one or the other as yet, I encourage you to do so.)

If we don’t push back, we will be buried under the onslaught that isn’t letting up. Each of us will give an account for our actions, or lack of them. Push back.

Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People. Inc.


Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.

If these letters minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless known families in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

Go here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH  OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: Love For His People If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available). 

Contribution checks can be sent to: 

Love For His People, Inc.  P.O. Box414   Pineville, NC 28134
Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)

Please share this Ahava Love Letter with your friends.

Email: loveforhispeople@gmail.com  
martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin and  Love For His People  
  
Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople and ahavaloveletter 

           Ahava Love Letters
           
  Full website: Love For His People


Ahava Love Letter #108   “Push Back”   Steve Martin 
Date: In the year of our Lord 2014 (02.03.14) Monday at 7:00 pm in Charlotte, NC).


All previous editions of Ahava Love Letter can be found on this Blog, and our newest website: Ahava Love Letters


“Get Your Blinders On” - Ahava Love Letter/Now Think On This (Steve Martin)

                    
                            Now Think On This...


 “Get Your Blinders On”

“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how He did it. Because He never lost sight of where He was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—He could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now He’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.

When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility He plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” 
(Heb. 12:2-3 The Message)


The big game just finished. Not as great as we expected. In fact, it was a letdown for many.

On other past occasions, we have experienced days we so looked forward to, which then came and went. It turned out not being the big deal we had so longed for. We think, oh well, we’ll start looking to the next one, which will be better of course.

We have expectancies. We have fulfillments. We have disappointments. They come and they go. Personally, I get weary of some of them. But then I am reminded of Him.

Back in the day, yes, even before my time, farmers used to plow their fields with the one horse powered implement. Or if they were on the more affordable side of profits, they had even two or three horse power pulling. Literally. Before tractors manufactured by John Deere and Harvester International were invented, horses and mules were it. And these powerful animals wore blinders.  Even today you will see horses with these things on their head called blinders. Why?


In one article, it reads, “Horse blinders are firm leather squares or plastic cups that attach to a horse's bridle or hood and prevent a horse from seeing behind and beside him. Horses that pull wagons and carriages wear blinkers to prevent them from becoming distracted or panicked by what they see behind the wagon.

In fact, horses can see a nearly full circle around themselves except for a small blind spot in front of their noses and behind their tails. Blinders cover the rear and side vision of the horse, forcing him to focus only in a forward direction.

During World War I, horses were essential to transportation of weapons and cavalry units. Horses used during battle often wore blinkers to block out distractions like artillery and approaching armies form their view. (Alie Maheux, Demand Media Animals.pawnation.com )

I like how The Message Bible has written the Hebrews 12:2-3 verses, used as the encouraging word for this message. It says of Yeshua (Jesus), “He never lost sight of where He was headed. He plowed through.” Makes me think He had blinders on, in the spiritual sense of the word.

Having spiritual blinders on can keep us focused on the plan and purpose the Lord has for each. With daily distractions continually coming our way, we can easily lose track of the field’s row in front of us, that we are planting in that which the Lord has placed us in. World news, national news, the local new, which is ever before us, can get us looking away from the Author and the Finisher of our faith. We can get so caught up in the now moment that we get our eyes off THAT which the Lord has asked us to keep our eyes on.

We need to get, and keep, our blinders on.

A little odd looking, but you get the point!

Focusing on the big picture ahead of us can keep our emotional health in better shape than if we don’t. If we allow ourselves to get caught up needlessly in distractions around us, we will become weary, our faith will dwindle, and we simply may miss the mark that we are aiming for, to hit, in the long haul.

In addition to the large worldview perspective the Lord has given us and wants us to maintain, in seeing His Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven, each of us has at least one specific calling, which we need to know. Having that true sense of purpose, giving us direction to our steps along the way, comes with the help of the Helper, the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh, Hebrew).

Each of us has a direct call and assignment on our lives which we need to give ourselves to. It may be the teaching gift you have, the administrative work you do, the passion to see the next generation know Him, the Giver of Life, as their own personal Lord and Savior. Whatever it is, our focus must remain steady and enduring, persevering to completion.

For me, my calling is to support and stand with the nation of Israel, and the Jewish people. As a Gentile, I know that is my assignment, and when I get distracted by all that which happens around me, I need to put my own blinders on, and get refocused on the vision I have been given. This, one of His primary heart beats, has become mine also.

Encourage yourself today in the fact that you have been given a specific purpose, needing continual focus and attention. As you maintain vision, you will complete the assignment you have been given. As it has been said, keep the main thing the main thing in your life.

May His Holy Spirit make this even clearer in your walk with Him today. That is His desire.

Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People. Inc.


Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.

If these letters minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless known families in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

Go here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH  OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: Love For His People If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available). 

Contribution checks can be sent to: 

Love For His People, Inc.  P.O. Box414   Pineville, NC 28134
Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)

Please share this Ahava Love Letter with your friends.

Email: loveforhispeople@gmail.com  
martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin and  Love For His People  
  
Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople and ahavaloveletter 

           Ahava Love Letters
           
  Full website: Love For His People


Ahava Love Letter #106   “Get Your Blinders On”   Steve Martin 
Date: In the year of our Lord 2014 (02.03.14) Monday at 7:00 am in Charlotte, NC).



All previous editions of Ahava Love Letter can be found on this Blog, and our newest website: Ahava Love Letters

Saturday, February 1, 2014

"Finish the Race" - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

 

                                  Finish the Race


“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. All that awaits me now is the crown of righteousness which the Lord, “the Righteous Judge,” will award to me on that Day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for Him to appear.” 2 Tim 4:7-8 (Complete Jewish Bible)


Dear family of friends,

Do you ever get that sense, “Yes, that is done, what is next” feeling? Not necessarily the one when you have actually just finished a project, and there is a clear ending point, but the one where you just know in your knower that this season in life, completed over a long term, has been accomplished? Yes, that sense. Let me share further on that.

I truly believe there are seasons of the soul, similar to seasons in nature. Just as the Scripture says, “...the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.” (1 Cor. 15:46 NKJV), the Creator has given us another visual of how life develops in our soul. His very creation, using the four seasons of spring, summer, fall and winter in many locations on the earth, give us understanding in life matters. There is a time of birth (spring), many years of anticipating, experiencing and doing with full activity (summer), and then the wind down (fall) before the completion in death (winter).

And for those who have raced, either on foot or in a swimming pool, or have been a fan of NASCAR or open wheel car racing (FORMULA 1 style), you too have participated in or seen the starting point, the long stretch of ups and downs during the race, the high point right before the completion, and then the finish line. Another concept of how our lives are.

In the spiritual realm, similarly understood through these natural occurring events, the Lord gives us seasons and races. In His revealing of Himself to us, through our five senses of our sight, sound, smell, taste and touch, His Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh in Hebrew) is showing us His life and purpose – to give us further understanding of His purposes and ways. While the spiritual also includes dreams and vision, and other aspects in revelation, this is how we learn.

One example of season and race concepts has been apparent in my good wife Laurie and my lives. It has been in the area of leading worship. Both Laurie and I have been gifted in music, with voice and instrument (more voice than instrument!) We have shared this gift with the Lord and His people, by participating in many settings of song and instrument over a period of 40 years each, from our teenage years through our 50’s.

There were the early years of lessons in vocal, piano and guitar. These were followed by the musicals, the school choirs, the seven church groups, and then the three bands. The point has now come to where the Lord has said, “That season is done. I have some other plans and purposes for you now.” Sure, we may lead a small group now and then in our gatherings, but we know that another race, another season, is on the new horizon. We lay down that which has finished, while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our ongoing faith (Heb. 12:2). We are called to continually pursue His next passion, coming forth out of His heart,  being instilled in us together.

I love seasons. I love races. I love how the Lord uses these in our lives to provide encouragement for our spiritual seasons and races. Understanding that each of these however come and go helps us to let go as needed, so we can begin the next one. Often, they happen whether we like it or not. But in giving Him our ongoing trust and appreciation, our understanding can be better served as the next season or race comes our way.

Be content where you are at now in life. That was one of Paul’s heavenly insights. If it feels like you are in an all out race, then give it all you got. If the season you are in seems as if you’d really prefer the next one right about now, just wait a bit. It will happen. For another one is on the way!

Ahava to my family of friends,

Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People. Inc.


Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.

If these letters minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless known families in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. 

Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.
Go here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH  OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: Love For His People If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available). 

Contribution checks can be sent to: 

Love For His People, Inc.  P.O. Box414   Pineville, NC 28134
Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)

Please share this Ahava Love Letter with your friends.

Email: loveforhispeople@gmail.com  
martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin and  Love For His People  
  
Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople and ahavaloveletter 

           Ahava Love Letters
           
  Full website: Love For His People


Ahava Love Letter #104   “Finish the Race”   Steve Martin 
Date: In the year of our Lord 2014 (02.01.14) Saturday at 5:24 am in Charlotte, NC).


All previous editions of Ahava Love Letter can be found on this Blog, and our newest website: Ahava Love Letters