Fear Not Little Flock - Steve Martin

 

Fear Not Little Flock

 

“Do not be afraid, little flock, because your Father has chosen to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32, NASB

 

Back in the day, oh about 17 years ago to be exact, I was the USA Director of Vision For Israel, the Israeli believers' ministry founded by Barry and Batya Segal near Jerusalem. We had moved the American office from Savannah, Georgia to Charlotte, North Carolina. After hiring the four others who joined me on staff, we commenced building the office and warehouse setup for VFI and the Joseph Storehouse, as the humanitarian effort was also known around the world.

There were times when I liked to remind the staff, particularly during the trying times, that the Lord was in charge, He was on the throne, and all would be well. I liked to quote this verse in King James, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32

As we all know this temporary world is not getting any better, if viewed with the natural eyes. It is just getting hard to live as we all are feeling in – spiritually, economically, socially.

In the spiritual realm, we experience the ongoing battle of standing on the Word of God, which is constantly under attack, if not even thrown out altogether in many regions. Dismissed as irrelevant, outdated, or for the “older generation” only, it is maligned along with our Lord Who is the very One Who Created the very ones who deny Him. Teaching our children, the basics of life, forever written in His Word, is a daily fight to accomplish, as all that is around them is pulling them in the other direction.

Economically the increasing cost of goods with inflation, shortages, lack of service, and distribution problems with the lack of full labor is putting pressure on all of us to be wise in our spending and provision for daily needs. It can be a fearful time.

And then the social atmosphere that abounds with fear, pitting this one against that one, this group against that group, this way against that way. If you say one “wrong” thing to another, relationships become stressed and then break.

No wonder the suicide rate among the generations has rapidly risen, with people succumbing to uncertainties and hopelessness.

Yes, I would remind the staff, and myself, that our Lord has what we need to combat the fear, by continually agreeing with Him, that we need not fear, for He is with us, guiding us, and providing for us.

Recently we had to have our Bradford pear trees cut down, being over 30 years old and just waiting for the next windstorm to bring the frail limbs crashing down on our house or cars below. What I miss most about the two not being in our front yard anymore, as I still enjoy the porch swing and rocking chairs, are the lack of birds that would rest in their branches, and the frolicking squirrels that would change each other around 20 feet above the ground. They never lacked the care of our Father, and they enjoyed His provision for life. He had promised to take care for them, and He fulfilled that.

So too must we continue in trust and faith for His provision, guidance, and protection.

²⁵ “For this reason I say to you, ^[q]do not be worried about your ^[r]life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they? ²⁷ And which of you by worrying can add a single ^[s]day to his ^[t]life’s span? ²⁸ And why are you worried about clothing? Notice how the lilies of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin thread for cloth, ²⁹ yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. ³⁰ But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! ³¹ Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’ ³² For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But ^[u]seek first ^[v]His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be ^[w]provided to you.

³⁴ “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will ^[x]worry about itself. ^[y]Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6: 25-34, NASB

Next time you are pressured or in stress about today, and tomorrow, repeat the word, “Fear not little flock.” His assurance will bring peace to your spirit and soul.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin, Love For His People founder

Build On. Each Doing Their Part. - Steve Martin

 

Build On. Each Doing Their Part.

 

“We kept at it, repairing and rebuilding the wall. The whole wall was soon joined together and halfway to its intended height because the people had a heart for the work.” Nehemiah 4:6, THE MESSAGE

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah in the Bible normally don’t get a lot of attention these days. They can easily be dismissed among those having the “that was for then, but we have today” mindset. But all the Word of God is for our edification, teaching, and training, and we need to pay attention.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17, NKJV

 When I spent time reading how the Lord put in the heart of Ezra and Nehemiah to go from Persia (roughly modern-day Iran), having been in captivity there for many years, to return to Jerusalem and build up the ruined walls and burned down gates of the Jewish city, the Holy Spirit specifically pointed out two things to me.

1.      The King of Persia (a Gentile/non-Jew) provided the protection and the provision.

2.      Each one rebuilding the walls alongside Nehemiah was called by name and listed accordingly, with each person having a specific part and role in the building.

Regarding #1, Nehemiah records this historic fact as he wrote, “Furthermore I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, let letters be given to me for the governors of the region beyond the River, that they must permit me to pass through till I come to Judah, and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he must give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel which pertains to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house that I will occupy." And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me.” Nehemiah 2:7-8, NKJV

A non-Jew had been appointed and set in place by God to perform the needed actions, assisting the Jews in their return to the Land and rebuilding. As a Gentile myself, this is a very important fact, as today we have been given the same role – to provide for the Jews to return to Israel and rebuild their cities and lands. This worldwide phenomenon is known as aliyah in Hebrew.

“Thus says the Lord God, "Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations and set up My standard to the peoples; and they will bring your sons in their bosom, and your daughters will be carried on their shoulders.” Isaiah 49:22, NASU

As for topic #2, I was amazingly aware that the Lord had also assigned very specific roles and locations for each one to do their part in the rebuilding. And Nehemiah, under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, records each name and what exact section they were given to do in the rebuilding.

It is the same today for you and me. Each of us has been given specific gifts, talents, and means to do our part in the building up of the Church body here and now, but we also have a very vital part in providing for the Jews in their fulfillment of the vast number of prophetic words in the Bible, whereas the Lord Himself would bring them back to their Land in our day (aliyah) and restore them as a sign to the nations of His eternal faithfulness and commitment.

What an important role we each have!

Each time I travel back to Israel from the USA, I recommit myself to do my part, carrying on my shoulders the task and responsibility to be a part of this tremendous work our God is doing, as He brings the Jews home. May you become more aware of your part too and walk it out along with others.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

Love For His People

Founder

Believe It Or Not - Steve Martin

 

Believe It Or Not

"Then this word of Adonai came to him: “Get up; go to Tzarfat, a village in Tzidon; and live there. I have ordered a widow there to provide for you.” 1 Kings 17:8-10, Complete Jewish Bible

We all know the verse, “Give and it shall be given to you.” Not enough most likely believe it though. I purposely didn’t share that verse at the top of this message for it may have become one of those, “Yeah, I have heard that plenty of times. Usually right before the offering. What else have you got?”

The verse I did share from 1 Kings tells of Elijah the Prophet going out as the Lord had instructed, then speaking to the widow as he asked for food. As you also know the story, she gave what she had, knowing that her son and herself were running out of provision themselves. It is a good, factual, story to learn from in our walk with the same God.

If one believes something, he, or she (not “it”, or any other pronoun) they do it. And the more often they do, the more it becomes a way of life.

We are given many examples in the Lord’s Word of giving something in faith and then seeing the Lord give it back, over and abundantly beyond what the giver thought possible.

We have many examples of His faithfulness and honesty. The widow and her bread and oil. Yeshua (Jesus) and the fish and loaves from the young boy, before feeding the multitude who had followed Him. And then of course His first miracle, taking the jars of water at the Cana wedding and turning them into the best wine. Each one had to first give something for His to use. He then multiplied it in return, benefiting many, including themselves.

Stories only? Or are these all factual moments for us to read, hear, and believe that the Lord is “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

Most Americans don’t really believe that verse from Hebrews because we can always go around the corner to the grocery or big-box store, or order on Amazon and get whatever we want the next day, or even within hours now. For many there is no need to trust the Lord for provision.

And with our checking account usually having some money in it, why trust the Lord for anything such as these stories tell us?

I tend to think we are about to learn many lessons in these days requiring us to trust more, in faith.

How can we walk in the ways of the Lord if we don’t practice walking in the ways of the Lord?

I recently told a young man this very thing. If we say we know the Lord, and do things our way, do we really know the Lord? If we don’t do things His way, then how can we say we are believers? How can we say we know Him? How can we say we do what He says to do in His Word, when we don’t even know what His Word says or take the needed time to ask Him daily what He wants to say to us, to hear and obey?

Are we living His life or our own? For Him or for ourselves?

I personally would doubt what you tell me if your life shows me you actually believe something else. True?

Givers give. And the Lord says, once again, “Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back — given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity." Luke 6:38, THE MESSAGE

I encourage you to practice, yes practice, what you preach. Does your walk keep up with your mouth? I hope so!

And no, this is not a request for contributions! It is a desire to see more believers believe what the Lord asks us to believe.

Believe it or not.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

Be Not Whitewashed or Woked - Steve Martin

 

Be Not Whitewashed or Woked

 

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.  "So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Jesus Christ, Matthew 23:27-28, NASU

 

With the watered-down gospel preached in many churches these days, Jesus (Yeshua) will never be quoted saying what He said when He walked the land in Israel in 30 A.D. In fact, much of that being taught, if you want to call it that, from the pulpits in the churches where many don’t read the Bible for themselves, Jesus is portrayed as an “all-loving”, “don’t rock the boat” type of nice man. And thus, you can do what you want, when you want, how you want, and He will always love you no matter what.

Truth can easily be lost when you mix it with deception and lies. Those who don’t teach the full truth are as deceived as those who stay and listen to it.

How do I know? During the COVID months years ago, how many, after being “locked out of their churches for those months” (some with no fight or push back at all against government control) have returned to fellowship and solid teaching? You know the lost numbers too as well as I do.

Many Christians will fall away during these times, in these last days, because they have not been taught Who Yeshua (Jesus) actually is. They have been fed a “love me for who I am” gospel, which is not THE Gospel.

And thus, we have “wokeness” abounding even in so many American churches. Tickle the ears of the people, and when reality hits home, they will lose what faith they had and fall away. Their hearts have been made cold because men and women have chosen to water down what Jesus truthfully said and did when He came the first time.

He previously asked if He would still find faith when He returns the second time. He was right.

“Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. He said, "There was once a judge in some city who never gave God a thought and cared nothing for people. A widow in that city kept after him: 'My rights are being violated. Protect me!'

"He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, 'I care nothing what God thinks, even less what people think. But because this widow won't quit badgering me, I'd better do something and see that she gets justice — otherwise I'm going to end up beaten black and blue by her pounding.'"

Then the Master said, "Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won't step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won't he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?" Luke 18:1-8, THE MESSAGE

“Persistent faith”, or as it is simply stated in the NASU version in Luke 18:8, “However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" will not be found in as many Christians as we would hope. These have been quietly, routinely, regularly been fed too much pablum, baby food, and no meat to chew on, and thus will not have the faith to stand when the heat gets turned up. As it is certainly these days.

They looked for the “worship experience” rather than the One Who is to be worshipped.

Preachers and teachers who do not give out the truth are whitewashed, having a “clean looking” appearance on the outside but nothing worth keeping on the inside.

Wokeness will eventually kill what faith you have if you are not founded on the truth of the Bible, and the faith that comes from reading it.

Cold hearts will not be able to pump out faith when the time is most needed. No solid foundation produces weak and soon fallen buildings.

Be not whitewashed nor woked. Have faith. In Yeshua (Jesus) and His Word only.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin, Love For His People founder

How I Learned To Give - Steve Martin

 

How I Learned To Give - Steve Martin

"Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6, NASU

On rare occasions, I share a message in our homegroup, as I normally lead worship and another gives a message. But this time we switched roles, and I gave the message.

After seeking the Lord during the three weeks preceding the homegroup, I settled peacefully on the topic of giving, and how the Lord had taught me over decades the discipline, even beginning in my youth.

I recall sitting in the Roman Catholic church pew before the weaved basket at the end of the long pole being handed down our row – my dad had given me a dime or a quarter to put in it. Later I was given a box of 52 white, small envelopes distributed by the church at the beginning of the year, for the weekly giving moments during Mass.

Being raised a Catholic I wasn’t familiar with “tithing”, but after working a few months in the Eagle grocery store stocking shelves my senior year of high school, alongside the new Baptist friend, I heard about it for the first time. I commenced the practice then and have continued since.

During my one and only year of college at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa, I lived with several Christian brothers. No rent or other expenses were individually requested, but a glass jar served as the collection container, and each would put in funds as they “felt led”. Once when the jar became very low on provisions, the Lord had me privately put in my first $400, unbeknownst by the others.

I was learning to hear the voice of the Lord in giving, in sharing what He had blessed me with in provision for the blessing of others.

My good wife Laurie and I lived in common purse community for the first four months of marriage, in LaSalle/Peru, Illinois. Known as Victory Community, the concept was based on Acts 2, where the early church had “all things in common.” Each working member gave their entire paycheck to the elders each payday, who in turn divided it equally among all, for food, clothing, housing, and transportation expenses.

It even included special events. So, when we got married (in October 1977) we were given $600 for our honeymoon (with the wedding expenses covered by Laurie’s parents.)

Thus, we did also, until we became involved with the Discipleship/Shepherding Movement in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and moved to East Lansing, Michigan to further live as we believed. About half the community, 35-40 members) also made the move.

Around 1983 the elders of Shiloh Fellowship, the church we were members of, felt it appropriate to ask each family household and single members to give a week’s paycheck so we could honor and bless the national teacher, Derek Prince, living in Jerusalem, Israel, in need of a large sum of funds to complete the building of his home. In faith, Laurie and I gave. It certainly was another teaching experience in giving, especially with two young boys and living paycheck to paycheck.

All during this time the Lord was putting into my heart the Christian discipline of trusting Him to give beyond what I thought I could, believing Him when it says in Scripture, “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; as it is written,

"HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER."

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-12, NASU

Learning to give is a process. You start out giving as you can in faith, and then as you do, the Lord increases your faith with more increase resulting in more opportunities to give larger than before.

One thing I also noted in my message was even though I have given 10% and much more through the years, I don’t limit it to one location or ministry. Our household gives much to those working in the land of Israel, knowing personally the households of the faith doing the work there to fulfill the prophetic words of the Lord as He brings the Jewish people back to their homeland. Love For His People Ministry focuses on this mission in ministry.

I encourage you to honor the Lord foremost in your giving continually, and as you give thanks for the provision He gives you to share, you do so in increasingly stronger faith and evermore joy in your heart.

Steve Martin, Founder

Love For His People Ministries 12120 Woodside Falls Rd. Pineville, NC 28134

loveforhispeople@gmail.com loveforhispeople.blogspot.com

The Great Falling Away - Steve Martin

 

The Great Falling Away - Steve Martin

“Adonai said to Gid‘on, “I will use the three hundred men who lapped the water to save you; I will hand Midyan over to you. Let all these others go back home.” (Judges 7:7-8 Complete Jewish Bible)

There is a great falling away coming from among those who once walked with the Lord. In fact, it has already started. For decades, it was “popular” to be a Christian. Not so anymore, especially when one considers the numbers who attend a weekly church service. Looking around any given Sunday morning gathering, and in most churches you will see mostly grey hairs; and they are dying off. Sure, there are those churches that are doing well among the youth, but that is an exception. We give thanks for them.

After a major crisis occurs in a nation, the pews do fill back up. But within a few months, or even weeks, the “Crisis Christians” no longer come around. It is back to normal as usual. (We may still have the “C & E” group – Christmas and Easter, but even those numbers are dwindling fast.)

The apostle Paul said that in the end of days there would be a great falling away. We are living in those times.

"Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.

Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 NASU)

Lest you become fearful, and wonder what is going to happen when so many are gone, let me share a little insight with you. It will inspire you in faith, I believe.

The Lord seems to allow for the reduction of numbers when He has a job that needs to get done. Unlike humans, more is not always better. As my good wife Laurie likes to remind me on certain occasions, “Less is more.” My accounting mind doesn’t always see it that way, but it is true.

Let’s look at a few instances in the Word of God, and see how the Lord chooses to accomplish His purpose, and achieve the final victory.

Take what happened when the Lord decided to flood the earth. He saved a remnant, Noah’s family of eight (Noah, his wife, three sons and their wives) and repopulated the earth with those alone. Looks like that worked.

And what about Gideon’s army, when it came time to defeat the Mideonites? Gideon took as many warriors as he had available, starting with 32,000. By the time the Lord had set up a few tests, the number was finalized at 300. With those remaining, the job got done. Victory was won.

Yeshua (Jesus) chose only 12 who would walk with Him for a little more than three years. Then He released them (even knowing one would be replaced by another) into the world. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, those twelve apostles changed the world.

Jesus also fed the multitudes, with very little. “All we have with us,” they said, “is five loaves of bread and two fish.” He said, “Bring them here to me.” After instructing the crowds to sit down on the grass, he took the five loaves and the two fish and, looking up toward heaven, made a b’rakhah (Hebrew – i.e. gave thanks). Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the talmidim (Hebrew – i.e. disciples), who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they took up twelve baskets full of the pieces left over. Those eating numbered about five thousand men, plus women and children.” (Matthew 14:17-21, Complete Jewish Bible)

The Creator of the Universe can get the job done with very few.

What about the 144,000 in Revelation of Jesus (Revelation 7:4)? That sure is something to consider.

“I heard the count of those who were sealed: 144,000! They were sealed out of every Tribe of Israel: 12,000 sealed from Judah, 12,000 from Reuben, 12,000 from Gad, 12,000 from Asher, 12,000 from Naphtali, 12,000 from Manasseh, 12,000 from Simeon, 12,000 from Levi, 12,000 from Issachar, 12,000 from Zebulun, 12,000 from Joseph, 12,000 sealed from Benjamin." (Revelations 7:4-8 THE MESSAGE)

There is a great falling away that is coming through the Christian ranks. It will remove the lukewarm as the Lord Himself is going to weed them out. I believe He will then emblaze the remnant with His Holy Ghost fire, and show the world Who is the King of kings and Lord of lords. In the process, millions during that time, yet to be saved for all of eternity, will come into His kingdom, gathered from all the nations.

Are you going to be one of the few? As the Marine’s would say in their motto, I pray you are.

By His grace you will keep committed and stay faithful to the end. It is going to be a battle, but He wins. Stay on His side.

Steve Martin, Founder

Love For His People Ministries 12120 Woodside Falls Rd. Pineville, NC 28134

loveforhispeople@gmail.com  loveforhispeople.blogspot.com

Catholic Chapel in Magdala, Israel -Walk With Me and see, Steve Martin, Love For His People Ministry

Catholic Chapel in Magdala, Israel -Walk With Me and see.

Steve Martin, Love For His People Ministry

Catholic Chapel in Migdal, Israel -Walk With Me and see, Steve Martin, Love For His People Ministry. Named after Mary Magdela April 25, 2023 in Magdala, Israel near Tiberias, Israel Videos filmed and shared by Steve Martin, Founder, Love For His People Ministry in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.

 

Man Pleasers Don’t Need Courage - Steve Martin

 

Man Pleasers Don’t Need Courage

 

“Therefore, brothers, just as you learned from us how you had to live in order to please God, and just as you are living this way now, we ask you — indeed, united with the Lord Yeshua, we urge you — to keep doing so more and more.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2, Complete Jewish Bible

 

If you have ever been to China, which I am thankful for Derek Prince Ministries that my good wife Laurie and I did go in 2002, as we snuck in Mandarin Chinese Bibles and Derek’s Mandarin Chinese translated books, you will realize one thing.

Courage is not something you talk about. Courage is something you do.

For you English experts out there, I know that “courage” is a noun. Thank you, Sister Mary Matthew, for teaching me that subject in English while in 8th grade at St. Patrick’s Elementary School in Cedar Falls, Iowa. But in this case, I want to use it as a verb. An action word means to actually do something about something.

And to have courage, to “do” courage, you can’t be a man-pleaser.

High School for most of us was probably traumatic. In fact, now it begins in middle school, and even younger, when kids face opposition, ridicule, and meanness. Our grandsons and one sole granddaughter (Dylan Joy, a senior this year!) will most likely face that again, knowing this school year is about to start again for them here in North Carolina and Florida. Lord, protect them!

When I was in high school for the wonderful years of 1969-1973 at Columbus High School (Catholic) in Waterloo, Iowa, the Lord taught me one major lesson that I have used for my entire life.

If you are going to live for Him, you can’t be a man pleaser. And if the world is going one way, brother and sister, you can bet the Lord is going the other.

When kids wore the latest fashion to be “cool”, I never did.

When kids teased and ridiculed the “last one on the pecking pole”, I chose to be that one’s friend.

When talk at the school lunch table was of “what they did last Friday night with that girl” (yes, this was a Catholic high school), I did not participate.

No drinking for me. No carousing in the back seat. No disrespect to my parents and teachers.

Was I a “goody two shoes” as some would say? Or a “brown-nose” as was another common slur towards those who chose to do right?

No. The Lord had given me the courage to trust Him and let the others go their own way. I had already learned that you reap what you sow, and I could foresee what they would reap after all their “wild oats” sowing.

We have to at some point in our life choose to be “God-pleasers” and not seek the approval of men. They fade away. They die in their sin. But we who choose Him, and His ways will reap eternal life in heaven, while at the same time live a fruitful and victorious life while yet on this planet.

"If you decide that it's a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you'd rather serve — and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you're now living. As for me and my family, we'll worship God."

The people answered, "We'd never forsake God! Never! We'd never leave God to worship other gods.

"God is our God! He brought up our ancestors from Egypt and from slave conditions. He did all those great signs while we watched. He has kept his eye on us all along the roads we've traveled and among the nations we've passed through. Just for us he drove out all the nations, Amorites and all, who lived in the land.

"Count us in: We too are going to worship God. He's our God." Joshua 24:15-18, THE MESSAGE

We need a whole lot of God pleasers today, men and women who will stand for righteousness, peace, and courageous enough to say something, write something, do something when it is necessary to do so.

A man pleaser doesn’t need courage. It is far too easy to not do anything about anything.

But you - have some courage! DO some courage today, in and around you.

Following Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, is a hard road as we know it is at times. But when you keep focused on Him and His Word, it goes a whole lot better, along with the courage that He puts in your heart.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin, Love For His People founder

Old City Ramparts Jerusalem - Walk With Me and see, Steve Martin as we continue on.

Old City Ramparts Jerusalem - Walk With Me and see, Steve Martin as we continue on. (Part 3) Nov. 2, 2022 Love For His People Ministry in Jerusalem, Israel We continue on this wonderful walk atop the outer walls of the Old City, where many valiant men of war fought to protect their own. To the top! Videos filmed and shared by Steve Martin, Founder, Love For His People Ministry in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.

 

Baggage. Less of It. - Steve Martin

 

Steve Martin, David Peterman in Israel (Sea of Galilee)

Baggage. Less of It.

 "…lay aside every encumbrance…” Heb. 12:1, NASU

 Yeshua (Jesus) loved to use stories, which we call parables, to teach others.

Think of it. One of the best ways we learn is by hearing stories. Wonderful biographies of others’ exploits; encouraging enactments of heroic quests; exciting adventures that inspire us to press on in our own lives.

Even little kids love to sit on the floor, look up, and hear fascinating stories that let their young imaginations fill in the unspoken words surrounded by glorious images.

So here is a story for you, to help you envision some hopeful results.

Two traveling men, one age 56 with a full beard and long hair to match it, and the other 67, with somewhat the beginnings of the balding status on the front line, set out from a rather busy airport on the east side of the land split by a major river…to cross the Big Pond to a promised land.

One bag apiece, weighing under the allowed 50 pounds/bag, was checked in at the airline counter. A nice lady served them, and once all set, they went and awaited the boarding of their Boeing 747-400 plane. All seemed well. Seemingly, of course. Until the huge plane and the approximately 430 passengers arrived at the foreign destination at the receiving end of the international flight.

Trusting that the checked luggage also arrived in good order as they did, they made their way through customs, straight to the baggage delivery section. They waited. They waited some more. They waited until nothing was left that came around the carousel oval-moving belt.

Their checked baggage did not arrive.

Nada. Nope. Not here.

Getting on the high-speed rail from the airport to the capital city of the Land, Jerusalem, Israel, took only 22 minutes. It was an enjoyable trip mingling with the sabras (native-born citizens), and with less heavy baggage to carry and maneuver up the four major long escalators to above ground, the final leg to the hostel on the light rail train brought back memories not forgotten from over 2.5 years ago.

The two weary men, a bit more hair having grown on their faces during the 17-hour total time trip, shuttled to their reserved room and collapsed. On the one bed. (Another story. Another day.)

One day passed. Two days more. Then one checked bag arrived. The other’s did not.

Three days, then four. Clap your hands and wait some more.

Two hours before departing from the hostel for the return trip home, the second checked bag arrived at the front desk. Joy erupted as some very special and valuable items in that bag were returned to the owner, from whence wherever they had been for 10 days.

During those days of “less clothing, less baggage” a natural lesson was learned.

The moral of the story is this: you can do without a lot more than you think you can. You need less baggage than you thought you did and will still get by.

Also, a spiritual lesson can be taught from this. What you think you need to walk with, you really don’t. The comforts once thought to be essential are not as important as you think they are. Prepare for what is ahead.

The Lord has you covered. You can get by with a lot less than you think and come out ok on the other end. (The 20,000 Ukrainians landing in Israel after escaping war in their land, many with all but one bag to their name, is also a major visual for all of us. One bag sometimes is all you need.)

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2, NASU

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

Love For His People founder

"Jaffa Street in the heart of Jerusalem" - Walk With Me - Jerusalem Ahava Adventures, Steve Martin.

 "Jaffa Street in the heart of Jerusalem" - Walk With Me - Jerusalem Ahava Adventures, Steve Martin.

The light rail train keeps the people of Jerusalem moving quickly, to work, school, and the many activities they travel to. Sept. 10, 2022, Jerusalem, Israel Videos were filmed and shared by Steve Martin, Founder, Love For His People Ministry in Jerusalem, Israel on another Ahava Adventure.

Derek Prince, Lance Lambert, Messianic Jews, Christian Zionists burial sites - Jerusalem, Israel - Walk With Me, Steve Martin

Derek Prince, Lance Lambert, Messianic Jews, Christian Zionists burial sites - Jerusalem, Israel (2) Nov. 6, 2022 Walk with me, Steve Martin, as we go to the Alliance Cemetery in southern Jerusalem, the German Colony, where many Messianic Jews, Bible teachers, Christian Zionists (believing Israel is for the Jews), and those who loved and supported the Jews coming to Israel are buried.

The cemetery keeper Meir speaks of Derek's life and the others buried here. Videos filmed and shared by Steve Martin, Founder, Love For His People Ministry in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.
 

Ever been to the German Colony in Jerusalem? I will show you some as you Walk With Me. Steve Martin

 

Ever been to the German Colony in Jerusalem? I will show you some as you walk with me. Steve Martin Nov. 3, 2022 Jerusalem, Israel Another section of the capital city of Israel where the German immigrants coming to the Land in the early 20th century mostly set up neighborhoods. Videos filmed and shared by Steve Martin, Founder, Love For His People Ministry in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.

Persistently Consistent - Steve Martin

 

Zoe

Persistently Consistent - Steve Martin

“Four things on the earth are small; nevertheless, they are very wise — the ants, a species not strong, yet they store up their food in the summer…” (Proverbs 30:24-25, Complete Jewish Bible)

We all have heard stories of the ants, of how they work and work and work. I can certainly attest to that. Living here in the South (southeastern part of the USA) over these past 30 years has presented many encounters with the red fire ants. These are the ones that when they bite you, you know it because it hurts. Then a short time later, small, red blisters cover your ankles or elsewhere on those parts of the body that were exposed. Sometimes they even get you under your socks, and then it is later that you feel their bite. Just great.

I have found a method that works for me, to rid my beautiful, weed-infested yard of their hills. For if you don’t deal with them, you will have nice mountains of red clay all over your scenery. So what I found that works is this.

Step on the mound with your foot (shoe on of course) to flatten the mound out. This causes them to eventually move on to the neighbor’s yard. Or if the mound has already grown to be bigger than your foot, take a plank of wood, lay it on top, step on it, and then roll it over to smash the next section. Repeat as needed. Works every time! No pesticides. No buckets of hot water to carry. No bleach killing the rest of your lawn.

It must be said of the ant colonies – they are persistently consistent.

They never give up. They never give in. They keep on working even better than the Energizer Bunny did. (Is he still around, or did his battery finally die out?)

One thing that I have found that also “works” in my Christian life, is to be faithful in the small and the large, is to be persistently consistent in what I do. Then I trust, as He promised, that I will finish the race and get His reward.

After all, who doesn’t like rewards? Even Zoe, our now deceased 12-year-old loving Dachshund, knew that if she consistently finished her doggy supper she would get a rawhide bone! You can bet she likes rewards.

"If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people's things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?” (Luke 16:10-12) New Living Translation

Want to know what are some things in the disciplined Christian life that please our Father in heaven? Seeing His children be faithful in prayer; spending time learning about His ways in His Written Word; and being the one who others can count on when a need needs to be met.

If you learn to be persistently consistent in your doing, you shall obtain the reward, and help others achieve that objective also.

Good servants of the Most High can be counted on, for they have learned to press on and not give up.