“Love The One You Are With”
“For to God we are the aroma of the Messiah, both among those being
saved and among those being lost; (2 Cor.
2:15 Complete Jewish Bible – CJB)
Dear
family of friends,
Sometimes I feel "conflicted" in my soul. I want to
be out with the people, for His heart for them burns with love and compassion;
and at other times I want to be with His people, for His heart burns with love and
compassion for them.
Over the many years of walking with the Lord, I know His
heart is the same for both – those who know Him and seek His face continually,
and those who don’t know Him, and are lost, seeking that which can’t fill the
void in their hearts. But this I know – His immense heart of love beats with
compassion for both groups of people. He is the God of Love, the God of Ahava -
that beautiful word in Hebrew for love.
So what
do I do when I feel torn, wanting to be with those who don’t know of His love
for them, and the time that it takes to be with them? Or use the time to be
gathered with His people, whom I have a strong kinship with? How do we know
what time it is to do what, when?
Remember the song of years gone by,
“Love the One You’re With”? ("Love the One
You're With" is a 1970 single by folk rocker Stephen Stills. The first
release from his solo debut Stephen Stills, it peaked at No. 14 in
the Billboard Hot 100.) Though I don’t remember the lyrics that once were
in my memory banks, I can agree with the title words. The younger generation,
my children’s age, may not know this song. But more and more my heart goes
out to them, as they try so many things which can destroy their lives.
My current job puts me in contact with college age
interns, trying to get their foot in the door for the career they seek. Most
often they do not have a clue as to what they really need, in order to be
fulfilled. I can at least be a father image to them (who many have not really
had) and share His love for them. Even if I don’t say the words, they know the
difference. One 20 year old intern wrote in a thank you note to me, sent after
she left, of how she had not met many people who had the “spirit” I have. I
hope the next place she is at has someone who can plant another seed in her
heart. The One she longs for is not far away from her.
I give thanks to my friend, Holy Spirit,
Ruach KaKodesh, Who has been given to us to be as our Guide, as the One who
will help direct our steps, and our hearts. He will let us know when, where and
how, so we can truly love the ones we are with. His timing, as we listen for
His Voice, will direct our steps as to when and where we are to be during our
daily walk.
Time we spend
with those who may have no knowledge of the Lord Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) heart for
them will enable them to “see” Him, as the presence of His Holy Spirit in us counters
that of other spirits. As the Bible says, we are “a fragrance”, “the aroma” to
those currently lost.
Working
in the marketplace gives us the opportunity to be “in the world, but not of the
world.” Our presence among the people opens a door to share the love of God
with them. Sometimes, as it is said, we need to use words when necessary. How
will they hear without us being the ones who share His love with them? The ones
I work with don’t step foot in a church building. We must step foot into their
buildings.
The Lord’s
heart burns for the unsaved. His desire is to see all come to know Him, and
receive eternal salvation. If you are out there in the world, the marketplace,
be the light He has put in you, for them. Shine and allow His Holy Spirit,
living within you, to draw them to the Messiah. Then they too can join the
community of saints, that we long to be with even more so.
Ahava to
my family of friends,
Steve
Martin
Founder/President
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Todah rabah! (Hebrew - Thank you very much.)
Be sure to get
my two books The Promise (CreateSpace/Amazon 2013) and Ahava Love Letters
(Xulon Press, 2013). Both available through Amazon.com Xulon Press.com , plus
other website book stores.
You can also order both books, The
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Please share this Ahava Love
Letter with your friends.
E-mail: loveforhispeople@gmail.com martinlighthouse@gmail.com
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Ahava Love Letter #81
“Love The One You Are With” ©2013 Steve Martin
Date: In the year of our Lord
2013 (10/20/13 Sunday at 7:45 am in Charlotte, NC)
All previous editions of Ahava
Love Letter can be found on this Blog:
What Do You Want (#75)
The Hiding Place (#74)
Why Is A Gentile Like You
Celebrating the Feasts of the Jews? (#73)
They Are Loved Too (#72)
Oskars Needed Again? (#71)
Little Orphan Chuckie (#70)
Demons & Fire Trucks (#69)
I Like Mike (#68)
Disappointed with Small
Beginnings? (#67)
Rise Again (#66)
The Cities (#65)
How can You Mend A Broken Heart
(#64)
Anxious (#63)
Hidden (#62)
Share His love today.
Love the ones you are with!
Steve Martin
Love For His People, Inc.
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Thanks for sharing. Blessings on your head from the Lord Jesus, Yeshua HaMashiach.
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People
Charlotte, NC USA