Christian Friends of Israel - Jerusalem.
Short videos om the ground, happening now.
#ChristianFriendsofIsrael #Jerusalem #Shortvideos, #ontheground #happeningnow #loveforhispeople
Standing in support of Israel, Jews, and believers in all the nations, in the name of Jesus (Yeshua). Sharing biblical truth, encouragement, news, and messages by Steve Martin.
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
"Place of Encounter" by Steve Martin
Place of Encounter
As often as I can I make the long 12 hour plane flight to Israel, then take the high speed rail train the 22 minutes to the capital city of Jerusalem, I am on it.
Riding up the three flights of very steep escalators, then walking out onto Jaffa Street, I sense the Lord’s presence every time. He has met me here before.
I feel like I am home, though I am not a Jew. Another Gentile from the nations.
At times the Lord will take you back to a specific place of encounter, where you distinctly remember, “He met me here.”That place where you had come before, discouraged and beat down, and knowing you needed something more, a shot in the arm (a spiritual jolt, not the drugs stuff). Jacob knew that place when he had the dream of the ladder.
“Then Jacob departed from Beersheba and went toward Haran. And he [f]happened upon a [g]particular place and spent the night there, because the sun had set; and he took one of the stones of the place and made it a support for his head, and lay down in that place. And he had a dream…” Gen. 28:10-12, NASB
(My good friend Morris Ruddick speaks often in his writings of needing “something more” as he knows by experience on his many journeys back to Vietnam and Israel. Thanks Morris!)
It was from Charlotte, North Carolina to Jerusalem where the Lord had instructed me in 1999, to pay the cost, give the time, and go to the place where He promised to meet me. He then indeed gave me the word I needed to hear, which would take me on the adventure lasting the next 20-30 years.
He took me to my “place of encounter” which I now know, looking back, as a major anchor of encouragement and foundational stone for my spiritual walk.
I know you too have a place of encounter, where you did what you had to do to keep going on, facing your own giant(s), overcoming by His Almighty grace and outpoured love He has deeply entrenched in your inner being. And if not, seek Him for it until He does reveal it.
Remember that place and be strong as you continue to fight to do that which is necessary in your walk today.
“When I looked things over, I rose up and said to the nobles, the rulers and the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the great and awesome Lord, and fight on behalf of your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:13-14 Tree of Life version
Ahava and Shalom,
Steve Martin, Love For His People
#encounter #morningplacetobe #SteveMartin
"Suddenlies" by Steve Martin
A beautiful horse in South Carolina. Photo by Steve Martin, March 2026)
Suddenlies
You wait. You wait. You wait.
And then suddenly! The time has come. And you get the “Now is the time” word from the Holy Spirit.
We all have waited for events to come, people to respond, the answer to a concern we have prayed for. For a long time.
Trusting in the Lord’s timing is what brings us His shalom, His peace, as we, “normal humans” anxiously wait at times for that time.
“Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the Lord tested him.” Psalm 105:18, NASB
Sometimes we get ahead of the Lord. Remember how King Saul didn’t wait for the prophet Samuel? It later cost him the throne.
Not every time will be this serious, but waiting for His perfect timing is always the way to go. Stay off the horse until the Lord says, “Go!” And then move on it.
I like suddenlies. I feel the presence and joy of the Lord then too. It is like the little kid waiting at the door to get outside, and then Mom gives him the “now” word.
Be expectant. Your suddenly, well certainly, will come. Suddenly.
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin
Message #16 in the year of the Lord 03.25.26
#Suddenly #suddenlies #time #horses #HolySpirit #Jesus #Yeshua
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Want to see Steve Martin's daily messages? Look at my new blog, "Morning Place To Be with Steve Martin"
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Look here every morning: Morning Place To Be
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Look here every morning: Morning Place To Be
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Where it began...I can't begin to know it. But come and see!
Where it all began...must have been in Lawrence, Kansas, in August of 2025.
My good wife Laurie and I flew to Kansas City to be with one of my sisters (I have 5),
Janet, and her husband, Nate. It was a very pleasant time of touring the city, the
countryside, the small towns, and the parks found in central Kansas.
When Nate told me about his "$4.95 Sip and What Not" (not the real name) at the
local coffee-and-bagel restaurant, I just had to do it. I was raised looking for the
"good deals".
When we got back to Charlotte, North Carolina, I checked out the local one. And
sure enough, every morning I could get a cup of coffee (limit one every two hours,
mind you), and I liked adding a blueberry bagel just to ease my conscience.
Lo and behold, this website began with that theme. "Morning Place To Be."
I like to write, so this will be one of those "not so heavy with all the news" places to
go, as you, too, enjoy your coffee every morning.
As they say (sometimes, though it gets worn out), "Enjoy."
Be blessed,
Steve Martin
P.S. Nate in the top photo is on the left. More grayer, though a wee bit younger,
than I am. Ha!
#MorningPlaceToBe #SteveMartin #morningcoffee #bagel #encouragement
Jerusalem's holiest sites remain closed in run-up to Easter - Donna Birrell, Premier Christian News
Government of Israel, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
March 23, 2026
Jerusalem’s holiest sites could remain closed for Holy Week and Easter due to security concerns over the Iran war.
The 4th-century Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Christ is believed to have been buried and risen from the dead, is closed indefinitely after shrapnel fell onto its roof. It is unclear whether it will reopen for Holy Week and Easter.
Other sacred places for Christians, Jews, and Muslims—including the Western Wall, Temple Mount, and the Garden Tomb, which some Christians also believe to be the site of the resurrection—are also closed.
Christian journalist Paul Calvert, who lives in Bethlehem, told Premier Christian News: “The Garden Tomb really relies on tourism, and it's looking like they won't have any Easter celebrations. Even during the Gaza war they have had Easter celebrations there, but it's looking like they're not going to be having any there this year. So it’s a very, very sad and difficult time for the Christian community.”
The closure of these holy sites ahead of Holy Week and Easter is significant, and many Christians fear they will be unable to attend traditional services.
Paul Calvert said a Holy Saturday service marking Orthodox Easter at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is always a highlight of the year:
“We have the traditional Easter that the West usually celebrates, then a week later we have the Orthodox Easter, and that is where you have the Holy Fire celebration. Thousands and thousands of Christians go in there with their candles, get their candles lit and they come out with the holy fire. They celebrate and rejoice and then that light is passed throughout the Orthodox world. It then comes to Bethlehem, to the Church of the Nativity. It’s a very moving experience.”
READ MORE: Jerusalem's holiest sites
#Jerusalem #holiestsites #remainclosed #Easter #DonnaBirrell #PremierChristianNews
Monday, March 23, 2026
"All Hands On Deck" by Steve Martin
All Hands On Deck
Each of us has been given gifts (talents) as the Lord shared to the listeners in the Gospel. What they did with them (or only one) determines how their reward, or not, resulted.
We each know individuals who are using their gifts from the Lord for the good of His Body. We surely recognize the “more noticeable one” – the pastors, teachers, prophets, evangelists, and even a few apostles in the church.
But I want you each to know, the ones who don’t have those “titles” ( and don’t get me started on “titles” so prevalent these days) that you are just as important.
The main leader in any church, synagogue or ministry, the visionary, certainly needs the administrator to carry out the dream. There may be the engine, but without the wheels that vehicle is not going anywhere fast.
So you having a hospitality gift, or a child development gift, or the one who uses his skills to construct or maintain the properties the Lord has entrusted to us; or even the one who leads worship in the home group of seven – you are just as important.
Not every job is “ministry”. Trust me, I know, after having been with ministries and churches on staff for over 35 years.
The Lord and His Body needs us all, serving together, each sharing his/her talent(s) for His plans and purposes.
“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10
Serve on!
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin, Love For His People
#allhandsonDeck #Nascar,#SteveMartin
Sunday, March 22, 2026
Global surge in antisemitic attacks sparks urgent call for Jews to return to Israel. All Israel News
Global surge in antisemitic attacks sparks urgent call for Jews to return to Israel
Pro-Palestinian protest in New York City (Photo: WAFA)
It’s been a bad week for Jews around the world.
Two brothers were arrested after planning an attack on Jews in France.
A Jewish school was targeted in Amsterdam.
There was an arson attack on a synagogue in Rotterdam.
There was also an attack on a synagogue in Michigan, USA.
While Israel is serving the world by getting rid of a nuclear program run by a tyrannical regime that threatens the world, Jews are being targeted globally.
We thank God that no one was killed in these attacks, but we know it is only a matter of time before a very serious incident arises, like in Bondi or Manchester.
The pro-Palestine mobs who have been chanting “globalize the intifada” should be very grateful that no one has been killed in these attacks this week, because they would have blood on their hands.
This is what “globalize the intifada” means. It means go out and kill Jews. Do they really understand that?
When a Jew dies in one of these attacks, I hold every person responsible who has shouted “globalize the intifada.” You will have blood on your hands.
You will be guilty of inciting hatred which led to the murder of an innocent Jew. Can you live with that? You will be no better than Hitler and the Nazis.
I think this week, and the weeks before it, should be a wake-up call to Jews around the world. Come home. Come to Israel. Be the generation that fulfills biblical prophecy. Your home is here, so come home.
The world is not safe for Jews anymore.
I have recently been reading the book of Genesis, the story of Joseph. Joseph became great in Egypt; he was second in command. Jacob, his father, and his family joined him. When Jacob died, Egypt mourned. There was great respect for Joseph and Jacob.
But things changed. Over time, things changed. A new ruler arose who did not know Joseph or Jacob. The attitude toward the Jews changed, and they ended up in bondage for 400 years.
After October 7, the attitude of the world has changed. There has always been antisemitism, but the world has changed. Jews should not feel settled anymore—they should come home.
“Globalize the intifada” is being shouted on the streets, so see the warning signs. You don’t live in the same world anymore.
Come, come home to Eretz Israel and fulfill biblical prophecy.
Ezekiel 34:13
“And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country.” (NKJV)
Psalms 107:2–3
“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, and gathered out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.”
Come and invest in your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in the nation of Israel. There is a future and a hope for you.
There is a nation ready and waiting for you—a nation that cares for the Jews. The Jewish homeland Jacob called Israel.
Paul is a Christian journalist
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