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

Love For His People - The Next Generation

 

Love For His People - The Next Generation Sept. 11, 2023 Greetings once again from Jerusalem. Our time here has been filled with discerning the guidance of the Holy Spirit as to be where He wants us to be, and when. That has taken us up and down Jaffa Street on the light rail train multiple times. Today, Monday Sept. 11, my son Josh and me will travel on a bus for an all-day trip to Masada, the Dead Sea, and Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered around 1947/1948. One of my personal aspirations is to connect the next generation with the people and Land of Israel. Bringing my 40-something son Josh is part of that. Introducing him to several friends I have been connecting with over the last three decades has been very important to me and I know will be for him. He has been amazed at the number of people on the streets most of the time, and at one point said “how respectful” they are to one another. When is the last time you heard that in the media about Israel, and Jerusalem specifically? Totally opposite the garbage the news articles and reports would like you to see and hear daily in their reports. Our support for the Jewish people, and more importantly the Messianic believers, is vital to Christians as much as for ourselves as for them. It has always been on the heart of God the Father that His people would be restored, and saved, and that Christians would be instrumental in supporting them by “bringing them on their shoulders” (the prophet Isaiah) back to their Land. Thus my many trips here, to bring home that point to them, and to you who also know Yeshua as Messiah. As a side note, I am always filled with strength and joy when I am able to attend the King of Kings worship service on Sunday nights in Jerusalem. Last night was no exception. May that which is on the Lord’s heart in these last days become more so on yours. Until next time, shalom from Jerusalem. Steve Martin P. S. Above photo: Uri Shlakim with Steve and Josh. Uri has the best quality hoodies and t-shirts on Ben Yehuda Street. On the Jerusalem train once again. This time there was even room to sit! SHARE Making another new friend, Jacque, the restaurant owner in the Old City Christian Quarter. A good place to go on Shabbat! The King Solomon’s Quarry, or Zedekiah’s Cave, just east of the Damascus Gate is literally a “cool” place to go on a hot day. “I Love Jerusalem” on the way to the Old City near Jaffa Gate. At least the gray hairs are getting less. Disappearing! Ein Gedi and the ibex The small waterfalls of Ein Gedi where David fled from King Saul. (The large waterfalls further on was closed. Someone had fallen in and died 3 weeks ago.)

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

 

Messiah – Steve Martin, Love For His People

Christ Church stained-glass windows in the Old City, Jerusalem, Israel (Photo by Steve Martin, 11.01.22)

Dec. 13, 2022 Charlotte, North Carolina Greetings to my family and friends of Love For His People Ministry. Speaking with my Jewish friends in Israel is always a joy, but sometimes a challenge, and dependence on the voice of the Holy Spirit guiding me is an ongoing must. In my message following, I share some of what the Lord has given me to do when I go, and how I relate to the believers and others in the Land of Israel. During this season of Christmas and Hanukkah, talk of the Messiah is even more so on the minds of the nations. For some, they know He has come and will come again. Others are yet looking for the Messiah and the hope of His appearance. I hope you the joy of the season, with family, friends, co-workers, and beyond your sphere of influence. Share the love of Messiah! Bo, Yeshua! Come, Jesus! Ahava and shalom, Steve Martin Founder, Love For His People Ministry

Messiah   “And not for a single day, either in the Temple court or in private homes, did they stop teaching and proclaiming the Good News that Yeshua is the Messiah. “ Acts 5:42, Complete Jewish Bible   In November of 2022, I again had the opportunity to spend time with a Jewish rabbi friend in Israel near Jerusalem. We had met before in his office a few years back when my good wife Laurie was with me, but this time I was on my own, being she nor another was not able to join me. The Rabbi and I had a deep discussion about the Messiah – Who He was and when He would come.   Knowing I am a Christian who strongly supports Israel and the Jews, the door had already been opened and I had been allowed into this God-ordained appointment. Having gained a reliable measure of trust with him, beginning with our Love For His People Ministry’s regular support of his work, going back at least 7 years, I had shown that I was not another “taker”, or looking for a “photo op” to raise my own funds back home in America. Those kinds of Christians, in name only, had already come and gone. And given the previous and even ongoing history of all the murders, thefts, and banishment from their homeland…much done in the name of Jesus Christ throughout the centuries gone by, it is no wonder it takes time to build relationships, trusted ones, between a Jew and a Gentile such as myself. Honestly, I too would certainly have had a very hard time befriending someone associated with such a past, even if that was of the generations prior to my own. We must not allow the sins of the fathers to become our own.  I have learned to be forthright and honest in my associations with Jews in Israel. Giving support in substantial ways, proven through a long-time relationship, has laid a good foundation that can be built on for future times together. They know that I am not out for my own benefit, or on a secret mission.  As Yeshua Himself said, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” John 6:38, NASU The primary focus of our ministry, established in 2010, was and remains to primarily support the Messianic Jews in the Land, known as the believers. With that focus kept in focus, the Lord has also opened the doors to befriend those who have yet to see the One Who already came the first time, revealing Himself to be the Messiah. Having already come, accompanied by miracles, fulfillment of prophecies recorded by the Jews themselves in the Torah, Tanach, and Prophets, including the resurrection from the dead, and further understood by the Jewish writers of the New Testament of the Bible, many people of Israel know Yeshua HaMashiach personally. Others continue to look for the Messiah.  For those who have seen and believe, Yeshua is the Promised Messiah, the One Who has already come. For others, the Messiah is yet to come.  In my interaction with the Jews, when I have spoken of the Messiah having already come, one Jewish friend has told me that in my theology He may have already come, but in his, He is yet to come. So as is a common saying among us and others, my friend may ask Him when He comes, “Is this your first time coming or your second time.”Before the Messiah’s return, I hope he finds the answer.  When Yeshua came for the first time to Israel, the Land of the Jews, He didn’t come as the conquering king so expected of the Messiah – to free them from the scourge of the Romans or any other occupying harsh rule. As in Isaiah 53, rarely if ever taught by the rabbis or discussed in the yeshivas (Bible schools in Israel), the Suffering Servant’s appearance was not one they accepted. On more than one occasion when I had the joy of sharing with Jews, be they currently in a yeshiva or having graduated from one, they tell me that Isaiah 53 is not taught or discussed. In fact, the word of the rabbis exceeds that of the Written Word. Thus, they continue to miss the opportunity to know Him, even from when He came for His own at His first appearance.  Read from Isaiah 52 and 53. “See how my servant will succeed! He will be raised up, exalted, highly honored! Just as many were appalled at him, because he was so disfigured that he didn’t even seem human and simply no longer looked like a man, so now he will startle many nations; because of him, kings will be speechless. For they will see what they had not been told, they will ponder things they had never heard.” Who believes our report? To whom is the arm of Adonai revealed? For before him he grew up like a young plant, like a root out of dry ground. He was not well-formed or especially handsome; we saw him, but his appearance did not attract us. People despised and avoided him, a man of pains, well acquainted with illness. Like someone from whom people turn their faces, he was despised; we did not value him. In fact, it was our diseases he bore, our pains from which he suffered; yet we regarded him as punished, stricken and afflicted by God. But he was wounded because of our crimes, crushed because of our sins; the disciplining that makes us whole fell on him, and by his bruises we are healed.  We all, like sheep, went astray; we turned, each one, to his own way; yet Adonai laid on him the guilt of all of us. Though mistreated, he was submissive —he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to be slaughtered, like a sheep silent before its shearers, he did not open his mouth. After forcible arrest and sentencing, he was taken away; and none of his generation protested his being cut off from the land of the living for the crimes of my people, who deserved the punishment themselves. He was given a grave among the wicked; in his death he was with a rich man.  Although he had done no violence and had said nothing deceptive, yet it pleased Adonai to crush him with illness, to see if he would present himself as a guilt offering. If he does, he will see his offspring; and he will prolong his days; and at his hand Adonai’s desire will be accomplished. After this ordeal, he will see satisfaction. “By his knowing [pain and sacrifice], my righteous servant makes many righteous; it is for their sins that he suffers. Therefore I will assign him a share with the great, he will divide the spoil with the mighty, for having exposed himself to death and being counted among the sinners, while actually bearing the sin of many and interceding for the offenders.” Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Complete Jewish Bible  When I am given more opportunities to be in Israel, with my Jewish friends, I will continue to pray for times of expressing the love of God the Father, sharing the words of His Only Begotten Son, and discerning the movement of the Holy Spirit to bring His Light among His people.  Salvation is available to all who will hear, and who do believe in Yeshua HaMashiach, the Messiah of the Jews and the world, for all those who will believe in His first coming, and know Him as their Messiah too.  Ahava and shalom,  Steve Martin Love For His People Founder  Message #130 in this series – in the year of our Lord 12.12.2022 – “Messiah” – Monday, 3:48 pm am in Charlotte, North Carolina  Love For His People Ministry. is a charitable, USA humanitarian ministry started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations, especially to and within Israel. If these letters minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless known families in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry.  Go here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH  OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards, Zelle, or PayPal  Contribution checks can be sent to:  Love For His People Ministry P.O. Box 53  Pineville, NC 28134Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)  Please share this encouraging message with your friends.

David Peterman and I recorded a new “Ahava Moments With You” last week in his home in South Carolina. This one is entitled, “As Unto Him – on the Job“, as we share our experiences in serving our bosses when on the secular and ministry jobs we have had. We hope you are encouraged as you listen. Another one we recorded is entitled, “Change”. And…for the fun of it, Walk With Me in this little town in South Carolina. “O Little Town…”

I do hope you have bought my latest book. If not for you, then as a gift for a loved one for Christmas or Hanukkah. I gave it a new cover too and then blessed you with lower prices! Click here: WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO- Paperback ($8.95, Kindle ($1.95), and HARDBACK, for only $12.95!

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO by Steve Martin (published Nov. 14, 2022) On Nov. 11, 2022, as I awaited the shuttle to the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, I asked the Lord what the title of my 36th book should be. “Why We Do What We Do – We Live For the Lord” came the response from the Holy Spirit. So, I named it that. The morning after I got home on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, I opened the November/December 2022 issue of Charisma Magazine which my good wife Laurie had been reading on the kitchen table. I skimmed through the pages and noticed an article by Rod Parsley entitled, “Seek the Father’s Face, Hear His Voice”. I had known of Rod and his ministry, but not a regular listener. On page 57 of his article, the written paragraph header was, “His Voice in My Ear”. In the 4th paragraph, he wrote of the Lord asking Him this question, “Why do you do what you do?” Confirmation! Thus, I had heard the Lord also.  This book contains the five months of messages I shared with subscribers to my weekly email, and then posted on our website www.loveforhispeople.com and other social media platforms. For each of us to accomplish the Lord’s will, plans, and purposes for our individual lives we must know what we are to do and do it. We will then understand the “why we do what we do” question, as we walk out His ways.  Be inspired and encouraged as you read, either as a daily discipline or as a book with examples as to how to walk the Christian faith in your own life. And as you know the “why”, your courage, boldness, and firmer commitment to live for Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, will be evident to many. You may not even have to say a word.  I have also included the six messages I wrote from Jerusalem, between Oct. 24-Nov. 11, 2022 when I was there on my 26th journey to the Land. Since 2010 I have called these journeys “Ahava Adventures”. “Ahava” is love in Hebrew.  To purchase on Amazon:  WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO- Paperback $8.95 Hardback $12.95 E-book $1.95

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“Bless Israel and He will bless you” – Ahava Moments With You, Steve Martin, David Peterman

 

Aug. 17, 2022 Love For His People Ministry, Steve Martin 2.09K subscribers

“Bless Israel and He will bless you” – Ahava Moments With You, Steve Martin, David Peterman The Bible says in Gen. 12:3 that those who bless Israel will be blessed. It is a true word!

You can order Steve Martin’s new book, “Encouragement” on Amazon – hardback, paperback, and Kindle versions.

Look here: https://smile.amazon.com/Encouragemen…

Videos filmed and shared by Steve Martin, Founder, Love For His People Ministry in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.

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Steve Martin

STEVE & LAURIE MARTIN - LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE FOUNDERS My good wife Laurie and I (45 years in October 2022!), through the ministry of Love For His People we founded in 2010, give love and support for our friends in Israel and in other nations with friendship, humanitarian aid, and social media support, along with Steve's messages, and our Ahava Adventures trips to Israel. Steve has also authored and published 34 books. We live in the Charlotte, NC area. We have four adult children, spouses, and eight grandkids.