Fellows in a Ship - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Fellows in a Ship

- Now Think On This

by Steve Martin

“Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 THE MESSAGE

Driving down the highway on that Sunday morning, enroute to my wife’s Mom’s house in Illinois, I knew I was missing something. Then I realized it was the time of worship and gathering together with friends that we wouldn’t be involved with that morning.

Vacations (or holidays as my Brit and Canadian friends would say) are important – to take a break from the routine, day to day norm, and do something else for a short time. It can be very similar to a short sabbatical, when some rest and re-energizing takes place. Then once over, you are ready to get back into the thick of it.

But there are some things we have been encouraged not to do, especially on a long term basis – forsaking the assembly with the Lord’s people.

Occasionally Laurie and I will miss the weekly gathering we have done all of our lives, in obedience to the Word of God. We have taken the time, the effort and the commitment to worship together on a regular basis with family and friends who share our common beliefs and goals. We had raised our four children to do the same, hoping that in their adult lives they too would value the importance of having a committed church life.

I appreciate the TV ministers, as I have my favorites that I record and watch as I can. But they cannot replace those one on one relationships we have with those in the church fellowship we are members of.

The writer of Hebrews, inspired by the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh), strongly encouraged the believers to avoid not worshiping together. Some had already begun to do so in the early church days, even making it a habit, as the eternal words are translated in the New American Standard Bible version, “…not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some.” (Hebrews 10:25) He went on to say that even as the last days draw nearer, even more so would the importance of fellowship be important, not the opposite as some would believe.

Knowing of those who have dropped out, quit the church, or now have little or no fellowship with believers in a regular, gathered together assembly, I have seen their spiritual and then natural foundations weakened, causing them to waver in their stance for what is good and truthful. They have fallen by the wayside, deceived by the deception that having koinonia, the gathering together for a common purpose, is no longer worth the time and effort it takes. They are not only sorely missed, but have hurt their own spiritual lives and place in the Body of Christ they were called to fill.

As a young believer, one pastor gave us a simple illustration of fellowship. “It is two fellows in a ship.” Yes, real simple, but the Lord didn’t make the full Gospel complicated. It is His purpose and plans that we have fellowship with one another, in order to encourage, help out, and give to each other that which He has imparted to each of us to share.

If you are in a good fellowship situation, guard the temptations that will come at times, to quit and leave. If you are not with a committed group of believers, meeting on a regular basis, I strongly encourage you to not give up seeking one. The input they will give you, and your presence in their midst will build up the walls of protection and increase the shared love we will so desperately need in these last days.

If you are not in a ship, get in one, and do what it will take to remain in it, as the turbulent times are going to increase even more so in our lifetime.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

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 messages minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families we know 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 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 

Blogs: Love For His People,   Now Think On This

Full website: Love For His People

YouTube: Love For His People Inc.

Now Think On This #160 - “Fellows In A Ship” by Steve Martin 

Date: In the year of our Lord 2014 (06.30.14) Monday at 9:30 am in Peru, IL.

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

One New Man - Jew & Gentile Believers

James Nesbit prophetic artwork Click here

Jewish Roots As A Believer

Our Jewish roots give us stability in a world that changes with every new wind of doctrine. Abide in Jesus and your faith will remain strong. 

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For HisPeople 

And of Benjamin he said, "The Lord's beloved one shall dwell securely beside Him." DEUTERONOMY (33:12)   לְבִנְיָמִן אָמַר יְדִיד יְ-הֹוָה יִשְׁכֹּן לָבֶטַח עָלָיו דברים לג: יב l'-bin-ya-MIN a-MAR y'-DEED a-do-NAI yish-KON la-VE-takh a-LAV

Today's Israel Inspiration The Book of Genesis describes the inner meaning of the names of each of Jacob's twelve sons. Did you know that all of the sons were named by their mothers, except for Benjamin? Rachel, who died in childbirth, called her son, "Ben-oni" meaning "son of my mourning." But Jacob wanted his son's name to reflect a positive life-calling, and so called him "Benjamin" which means "son of my right side," connoting strength and support. Learn the meaning of your Hebrew name, a hint into your life-calling. Order a personalized Hebrew Name Certificate » Bring Back Our Boys An inspiring new song was composed to reflect the emotions and prayers of a nation for its three kidnapped teens.   Watch here » Church Divestment and the Search for the Boys In this week's round-up, Nachum and Malcolm Hoenlein discuss the on-going search for the kidnapped boys as well as the Presbyterian vote to divest from Israel and much more.   Listen here » "Beloved" Silver Ring A gorgeous sterling silver ring with cutout Hebrew words that mean: "I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me" (a verse from Solomon's Song of Songs).   Get this Great Deal & Free Shipping » Today's Israel Photo Welcome to new photographers, Grace & Rick Knelsen! A chance meeting in Jerusalem during Rabbi Tuly's tour led us to the Knelsen's stunning photography. You'll feel you are right here, walking the Land, as you view their photo gallery. Today's photo of grazing cows was taken from Mount Carmel.   See more photos by Grace & Rick Knelsen » Rabbi Tuly's Speaking Tour I will be travelling to the US this August and would be happy to speak to groups and congregations about Israel, the Bible and Jewish-Christian relations. Please click here if you have a group you would like me to speak to » Thank You Today's Scenes and Inspiration is sponsored by new Bible partner, Roger Clemons of Rockford, Illinois. Toda raba!   Sponsor a day in honor of a loved one » “Blessed by the Meaning of My Name and Appreciate All the Research You Put Into It” It’s great to hear from so many of you - stay in touch and let us know where in the world you are enjoying Israel365!   Stay in Touch »   Thank you so much! I am very touched and blessed by the meaning of my name and appreciate all the research you put into it. Blessings and Shalom, Kelli B. I pray for Israel every day and help in anyway I can. I love Israel, G-d's land, and G-d's chosen people. I look forward to each day to reading Israel365. Thank you! Shirley H.   Shalom, Rabbi Tuly Weisz RabbiTuly@Israel365.com

Copyright © 2014 Israel365, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up for daily Israel Scenes and Inspiration on our website,www.israel365.com. Our mailing address is: Israel365 36 Ein Gedi Street Ramat Beit Shemesh 99000 Israel

World War I and the Jews

Israel's History - a Picture a Day (Beta)

---

Announcing a new feature: WW100 -- World War I and the Jews of Palestine, Commemorating the Centenary since the Outbreak of the War to End all Wars Posted: 28 Jun 2014  We will present over the next year special features commemorating the centenary of World War I, showing the major battles that shook Palestine, the Jewish population of the Holy Land, and the Jewish soldiers who fought -- on both sides.  Below are sample pictures: Turks prepare to attack the Suez Canal Austrian Jewish soldiers at the Kotel Jewish students and teachers after the capture of Rishon LeZion by New Zealand soldiers

Looking for answers? Don't understand?

Jeremiah 29:11

New American Standard Bible

"For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."

An Amazing Painter!

GOD ALMIGHTY!

YOU ARE AN AMAZING PAINTER!

YOU DO AWESOME WORK!

Eyhrel Moon Cassiopeia

Nebula - universe

The Predator

Butterfly Nebula

Helix Nebula

◄ Psalm 19 ►

New American Standard Bible

The Works and the Word of God.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

1The heavens are telling of the glory of God;

And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

2Day to day pours forth speech,

And night to night reveals knowledge.

3There is no speech, nor are there words;

Their voice is not heard.

4Their line has gone out through all the earth,

And their utterances to the end of the world.

In them He has placed a tent for the sun,

5Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;

It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.

6Its rising is from one end of the heavens,

And its circuit to the other end of them;

And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

7The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;

The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

8The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;

The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;

The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.

10They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;

Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

11Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;

In keeping them there is great reward.

12Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.

13Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins;

Let them not rule over me;

Then I will be blameless,

And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.

14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in Your sight,

O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.

Bad News for Atheists: Scientists Say Universe Shouldn’t Exist if Big Bang Is True

Bad News for Atheists: 

Scientists Say Universe Shouldn’t Exist 

if Big Bang Is True

6/26/2014 ALEX KOCMAN   CHARISMA NEWS

According to research from King's College in London, the current model of the Big Bang predicts that our universe should not exist.

New research bears bad news for the Big Bang theory of the universe's origin.

Scientists at King's College in London have found that the current model of the Big Bang would have resulted in a universe that collapsed soon after its formation.

According to the researchers, the rapid cosmic expansion physicists would expect to see after the Big Bang would have caused a good bit of turbulence—a situation worsened, not helped, by the so-called "God particle."

This "God particle," the Higgs boson, should have crushed our universe, shifting it into a lower energy field in which collapse would have been inevitable.

While it is doubtful astrophysicists will discard the Big Bang model, it might suffer a worse fate: the death of a thousand qualifications.

"When we hear the term Big Bang theory, many people assume it was conceived in its present form and has remained unassailed ever since. In reality, it is a very pliable model," wrote Answers in Genesis scientist Dr. Danny Faulkner in September 2013. "Several assumed variables in the equations have been changed to make the numbers match new findings. Today's Big Bang model little resembles the one your grandfather learned, and it is likely to continue morphing."

Conversely, the idea of the "God particle" doesn't really present a problem for creationists. According to them, the Higgs particle tells us about how the universe works now—not necessarily how it originated.

"The Higgs boson particle probably does exist. God upholds the creation with the power of His word, and I think this is just a humanly seen manifestation of that," Faulker said.

Within the creationist system, it is not surprising that godless models of creation come up short. The universe not only requires an ultimate causeless cause, but a constant sustainer keeping it in existence.

Hebrews 1:3a states of Christ, "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power."

Apostasy Rising: 4 Denominations In Less Than a Week Defy God's Word - Jennifer LeClaire

Want to receive Watchman on the Wall by email? Sign up here

• 

Apostasy Rising: 4 Denominations In Less Than a Week Defy God's Word

6/27/2014 JENNIFER LECLAIRE

Across American Christianity, compromise on sexuality is crumbling at the foundation of holiness. (Flickr/Nathan Bush [edited])

The United Church of Christ (UCC) bills itself as "the church where God is still speaking." Apparently, God's Word is falling on deaf ears of the leadership.

The UCC, which considers itself a mainline Protestant denomination—claiming over 1 million members and about 5,200 congregations in the U.S.—proudly announced it will serve as a major sponsor of the Gay Games. The UCC will now go down in Christian history as the first major denomination to sponsor the homosexual Olympics when the games roll into Cleveland, Ohio, in August.

I guess my jaw shouldn't have dropped when I read the news, considering the UCC in April filed a gay marriage rights lawsuit in North Carolina. But not only did my jaw drop, I'm shaking my head. J. Bennett Guess, one of the UCC's national officers and its first openly gay church executive, calls it a social justice issue and says the denomination prides itself on "being a bold voice for progressive Christianity."

In case you aren't familiar with what the term "progressive Christianity" really means, let's take a moment to define it. Progressive Christianity has a strong focus on social justice and environmentalism. Progressive Christianity focuses on concepts like "collective salvation"—where entire cultures and societies, rather than just individuals with faith in Christ, are redeemed—and bends toward a Marxist economic philosophy. And Progressive Christianity does not subscribe to the biblical doctrine of the inerrancy of Scripture.

That last line explains a lot. For example, it explains why the UCC was the first mainline denomination to affirm equal marriage rights for same-sex couples. It explains why the UCC was the first to ordain an openly gay man. And, overall, it explains why the UCC has fallen into the deception of sponsoring events that celebrate LGBT people instead of trying to love them to Christ.

But even denominations that don't consider themselves part of the Progressive Christianity movement are falling into this deception. The Presbyterian Church (USA) last week voted to allow its ministers to perform gay weddings in states where it's legal. On Tuesday, Methodist Pastor Frank Schaefer, who was defrocked for officiating his son's gay wedding, was fully reinstated and the Moravians voted to ordain gay clergy. My research shows there's a long and growing list of gay-affirming denominations, including the Affirming Pentecostal Church International. 

Saints, we're seeing 1 Timothy 4:1 playing out right before our very eyes. It's called the Great Apostasy and it's well underway. By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote: "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons..."

Back in 2012, I wrote an article titled, "Is the Great Falling Away Already Underway?" In it, I explained that some have indeed departed from the faith because they have engaged with deceiving spirits and embraced doctrines of demons. We've witnessed more than one man of God with a major ministry platform bow a knee to doctrines like universalism, deceiving and being deceived with this deadly heresy. Despite many in the church lifting their voice against heretical teachings, these deceived ministers hold fast to their demonic doctrine.

In the article, I show other examples. I would not have imagined that 18 months later I would have an overflowing list of new ones. That's why I am praying for a third Great Awakening. I am committed to crying out to God to see a cultural transformation—a spiritual revolution.

Although the Great Falling Away is going to happen because it's prophesied in Scripture, I am contending for a revival—a Great Awakening—that will sweep through the nation and cause people to turn back to God. I will not give up. The arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear (Is. 59:1).

Before each of the last Great Awakenings, people of God thought it was hopeless—and they didn't see the half of what we're seeing. But I am convinced God wants to turn this around—and I am convinced God can turn this around. Nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37). A Great Awakening is our only hope for this nation. Will you join me in praying for another Great Awakening?

---

Jennifer LeClaire is news editor at Charisma. She is also the author of several books, including The Making of a Prophet. You can email Jennifer at 

jennifer.leclaire@charismamedia.com 

or visit her website here. You can also join Jennifer on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.

Did you enjoy this blog? Click here to receive CHARISMA NEWS by email.

HEARING GOD'S VOICE IN A BUSY WORLD Written by John Paul Jackson

HEARING GOD'S VOICE IN A BUSY WORLD

Written by John Paul Jackson

Prayer is more than just speaking to God. It also means listening to God. It can mean quieting the soul, being still before Him, momentarily letting go of a busy schedule—and just listening.

The greatest “noise” that hinders us from hearing Him comes from our minds. My life is so full that my time is usually spoken for, and my mind is constantly working. Demands are placed on me. I’m recovering from radiation therapy and facing potential surgery. There is a lot of “noise” in my life right now.

In order to hear the still, quiet voice of the Lord in the midst of chaos and distraction, we need to develop the habit of meeting with Him on a regular basis. There, in His presence, we can practice two things that are capable of changing our lives forever.

1. Meditate on God

Some of my favorite times of prayer occur when I am meditating on God, focusing on His splendor and glory. When you look at Him—really, truly give Him your attention—you start to remember that He is good, that He is great, that His love is powerful and true, that nothing is too hard for Him. It is not uncommon to sit in His presence and wonder, How could I have forgotten that about You? In His presence, you remember who He is.

David would actually remind the Lord of what He had done in the past. These prayers have tremendous power as we recall the multi-layered promises God has given us: “Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your loving kindnesses, for they are from of old” (Psalm 25:6).

2. Meditate on His Word

Second, you can meditate on God’s Word by slowly and deliberately reading the Scriptures. This is called Lectio Divina, which means “holy reading.” Essentially, it is praying God’s Word. You meditate on a particular passage and wait for God to give you greater understanding about it.

Lectio Divina is about taking it slow and really sinking your teeth into one section of Scripture at a time, letting it soak down into your heart. It is a way to practice giving God your full, undivided attention. The more you practice this method of reading the Scriptures, the easier it becomes to focus on God without the distractions of the day taking over your consciousness.

This type of prayer, meditating on the Word, will radically transform your life. It has certainly transformed mine.

The Raging River of Hope

I often tell people, “What you focus on is what you make room for.” In other words, when we focus on the Lord, we make room for Him in our lives. The apostle Paul talks about this principle in 2 Corinthians 3:18: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed.” Beholding the glory of God transforms us. We become the people we were made to be—children who look more and more like their Father. Hope washes like a wild river through our souls, and we are restored.

As we develop a habit of meeting regularly with God, we prepare our spirits to hear from Him in times of peace as well as in times of crisis. We’re able to hear His voice even in the midst of “noise,” and the distractions that pull at us from the world will seem like actual distractions. We will recognize them for what they are, because we know the more important thing.

The Art of Praying the Scriptures book, CD-Set and Study Card are all valuable tools that will help prepare you to pray God’s Word back to him. The book contains 175 pages of practical instruction on the process of meditating on and praying God’s word and it includes some of John Paul’s favorite Scripture verses. The 2-CD Set goes deeper into this teaching with John Paul sharing several stories and anecdotes. To see the Art of Praying the Scriptures teaching series.

CLICK HERE

Source: Streams Ministries