I believe it. Jon Reddick

“I Believe It” Jon Reddick

The Son of God came to earth to save that which was lost. I believe it too.

Steve Martin, Love For His People from Jerusalem, Israel

Jerusalem cats hang out all over the place.

Hanging out at Mamilla Mall near Jerusalem’s Old City with the King David Hotel in the background.

After a while you get used to the Jerusalem cats just hanging out. This one seemed to pose in front of David’s Citadel near the Jaffa Gate of the Old City.

Pretty kitty.

#Jerusalem #jerusalemcat #DavidCitadel #straycat

A beautiful sound. Martin worships the Lord at Succat Hallel in Jerusalem.

It was a real joy and uplifting of the spirit and soul to hear Martin bless the Living God of Israel with His worship.

Succat Hallel in Jerusalem, Israel, the 24/7 praise, prayer and worship ministry founded by Rick and Patricia Ridings decades ago, continues uplifting Yeshua (Jesus) from the hills of His Land, Israel.

Beautiful!

#SuccatHallel #Jesus #Yeshua #praise #worship #Jerusalem

Rebuilding the kibbutz Nahal Oz near Gaza.

An old plow used in the early days of Kibbutz Nahal Oz in Israel near Gaza.

Dec. 12, 2025 Jerusalem, Israel

Shalom,

On Dec. 8, 2025, I had the opportunity to travel to Kibbutz Nahal Oz, next to the IDF Army post across the highway, just a few miles from the Gaza border. On the way there we could see Gaza City. And it wasn't destroyed as the international press (American press included) would have you think. But the Jewish lives across the border, and the army base, had many murdered people on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas and multitudes crossed over into Israel from Gaza. Hamas and the Palestinians are the ones who started the horrific war in their attempt to destroy Israel from many fronts. 

But the Living God of Israel intervened, as He always does.

My friend Gert from Christian Friends of Israel Jerusalem and I traveled the several hours to the kibuutz to help bring restoration and much needed repairs. During the six hours there we laid new laminate flooring in a bedroom. The teenager who had occupied the room would not go back to the room as a result of the destruction and his memories during that horrible time. We pray the Lord heals those memories and shows Himself strong on his behalf.

Following are a few photos I took.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

Love Fro His People Ministry

From Jerusalem, Israel

Nahal Oz community center with busted out windows.

The bedroom being restored.

The shelter which did save some lives.

Insect nests inside the shelter.

A German church group was there for the week also helping with restoration.

Restoration in progress.

Tomas (Germany), Gert (Netherlands), Steve (USA)

A member of the Nahal Oz kibbutz who helped direct the projects.

#Rebuilding #kibbutz #NahalOz #Gaza #GazaCity #Jews #Oct72023 #Christians #ChristianFriendsofIsrael

 

Your “Go To Place” - message by Steve Martin

The “Go To Place” - the place you go to be alone with the Lord

 

“After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.” (Matthew 14:23, NASB)

 

When I sat in the large tannish brown, upholstered chair that had become my “go to” place here in Jerusalem, before the sun came up over the eastern horizon, I was asking the Lord a few things. As the Bible says, “Jesus went alone to pray.” David also often inquired of the Lord.

 

So do I as I have learned over the decades.

I realized, as I relished this quiet and alone time, that my spirit needed refreshing, a “re-charge” as some used to say. The days had been long as Laurie and I have served at Christian Friends of Israel in Jerusalem these past row months (which I love), but the spirit, soul and body needed time alone with the Lord.

Service for the Lord is one thing. Spending time alone with Him is another. We need both in order to fully walk out His plans and purposes for us. Jesus did it with His a father. So must we.

David got alone with the Lord daily. He needed that encouragement, that renewed strength, that time to again see things from the Lord’s perspective, in order to get his perspective right.

In this world of lies, those railing against the truth, the meanness, greed and all things that go against the Lord’s ways and His written Word, we definitely need His perspective daily. We will be buried underneath the same rubble if we don’t.

As I sat waiting in that chair, I realized I was missing my favorite worship songs, due to the lack of Internet and WiFi on my phone in the apartment. I needed that spiritual jolt, that “energy” that He provides for us through praise and worship music, connecting us even more to Him. My spirit was longing for that “hidden place” where I could be in His presence through the senses He has given each of us.

As Don Moen sang in my mid-adult years, which I know I wore out the CD (if that is possible, or maybe it was on cassette then, if you remember those days), the song “I Just Want To Be in Your Presence” (Integrity Music, was coming back to me.

“Lord, I just want to be in Your presence, dwelling daily in Your presence. Take me to the place where You are.” (Integrity Music, https://youtu.be/MydWQgUOPH4?si=jeLEoHSjoO-l5mDT)

My daily time with the Lord usually includes listening to songs of praise and worship. If I had my way, and when I do, I turn the volume up loud and let my spirit soar into the heavens, filling up my spirit as it lifts Him up with my being.

And as I do, His love and refreshing brings renewing, restoration, recreating that which has been given out, or lost, stolen, or destroyed by the works of our enemy.

In His presence He brings to us what we need once again.

Whatever your “go to place” is - the latest believing song to repeat over and over from your playlist; the daily devotional bringing inspiration from those who have faithfully walked the walk and made it; that time of day when you know you just “need to be with Him” - be sure you make it a daily priority. I need it. You need it.

 

He wants us to be with Him in that “go to” place.

Church of the Beatitudes atop the hill where Yeshua (Jesus) gave His Sermon on the Mount. Near Tiberias, Israel

Church of the Beatitudes atop the hill where Yeshua (Jesus) gave His Sermon on the Mount. Near Tiberias, Israel.

From Matthew 5 in part: "Seeing the crowds, Yeshua walked up the hill. After he sat down, his talmidim came to him, 2 and he began to speak. This is what he taught them: 3 “How blessed are the poor in spirit! for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

4 “How blessed are those who mourn!
    for they will be comforted.

5 “How blessed are the meek!
    for they will inherit the Land![a]

6 “How blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness!
    for they will be filled.
7 “How blessed are those who show mercy!
    for they will be shown mercy.

8 “How blessed are the pure in heart!
    for they will see God.

9 “How blessed are those who make peace!
    for they will be called sons of God.

10 “How blessed are those who are persecuted
because they pursue righteousness!
    for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs."

    

The Christmas season Nativity Scene,

The road leading up to the church overlooking the hill where Jesus gave His sermon. 

The Sea of Galilee in the background.

A December rose grows among the beuatiful flower gardens.

#ChurchoftheBeatitudes #Yeshua #Jesus #SermonontheMount #Tiberias #Israel

 

Russian Messianic Jews in Tiberias befriend us, and we them. Bless the Lord Yeshua!

 

Dec. 5, 2025 Tiberias, Israel

Laurie and I had the blessed time spending a few days in Tiberias at the home of Igor and his mother Raisa (Rachel). We had the delight to share a Shabbat meal in their home. 

We give thanks to the Lord in meeting new Jewish friends, and these believers from Russia.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

I pray at the Shabbat meal time with Igor, Raisa and Laurie.

#russianjews #messianics #Tiberias #Shabbat

Elvis Resturant near Jerusalem. I thoroughly enjoy it! Steve Martin

I enjoy the Elvis American Restaurant, about 5 miles west of Jerusalem on Hwy. 1, very much! Each year they have an annual mug. I have now collected at least 11.  Enjoy the videos below.

Ahava and Shalom,

Steve Martin, Love For His People ministry on my 30th trip to Israel.

Annual mug with coffee is only 18 shekels, about $5.00. Such a deal!

Travel to the Sea of Galilee region to be with Messianic believers in Israel.

Dec. 5, 2025. Israel

Laurie and I took three days from our Jerusalem service to head to the north to spend time with decades long friends.

Along the way to northern Israel and the Sea of Galilee region (Tiberias) we also stopped by and spent an hour with Barry Segal at the Vision for Israel ministry just west of Jerusalem.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin, Love For His People

Chaim Malespin speaks at his local congregation KEHILAT Poriya above Tiberias.

The evening stay and meal with Russian believers Igor and his Mom were extra special. In their home in Tiberias above the Sea of Galilee.

Barry Segal, co-founder of Vision For Israel, gave us a full tour of their 4-story humanitarian aid ministry building.

Russian believers share their Shabbat meal with us in Tiberias.

Barry Segal, Laurie and I.

Vision For Israel Millennium Center in Moe’din, Israel.

KEHILAT Poriyah worship time near Tiberias. Poriyah Illit town

Laurie watches as the Shabbat candles are lit in Igor and his mom’s home in Tiberias.

Overlooking the Sea of Galilee from the Russian believers apartment.