The Battle in the Race - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

The Battle in the Race

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ's return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.” (Philippians 2:16-17)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.)

Memorial Day in the United States of America is a special day we annually set aside to honor the fallen – those men and women who sacrificially gave their lives to keep freedom free in our nation, and for the many other nations that we have stood with over these many decades. They chose (or were drafted) to join the fight in war. They ran to the front lines, armed with weapons for battle, to keep evil from further encroaching on European, Southeast Asia, and Middle Eastern lands. And to take back that which was stolen by the enemy of our souls, Satan himself.

These tremendous engagements on the battlefield took months of preparation for those men and women, prior to the vicious entanglements. They didn’t win without a tough fight. For millions, that fight cost them their lives.

We give thanks with a big “Thank you!” to all men and women who have served in the Armed Forces - the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and the Coast Guard!

The Bugler Boy and the flags of the US Armed Forces

Crown Memorial Park cemetery in Pineville (Charlotte) North Carolina

(Photo by Steve Martin, May 27, 2017

Many of us enjoy attending sporting events. We have a local or national team that we give our money, time and sometimes hoarse voices to in cheering them on. Though in no way would I ever compare them to paying the same price it dearly costs our soldiers in the USA Armed Forces, they too have been prepared to meet on the field of “battle”. For that I too commend them.

I too loved playing high school baseball, for the teamwork we had, and the discipline required to go onto the Iowa State Finals in 1972. Lessons learned for life.

Columbus High School baseball teams 1972-1973

(Part of the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Roman Catholic education system)

Waterloo, Iowa

It takes discipline to excel. It takes daily commitment to do, to be prepared to run the race and win the game, each a battle in itself, and later the hard-fought, victorious championship, or world war.

As Paul says in Hebrews 12:1-3,

“Do you see what this means — all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running — and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed — that exhilarating finish in and with God — he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.

When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! (”THE MESSAGE)

To be ready for the life struggles that we all do face today, and will face tomorrow, we must be ready. We must be armed. We must put on the full armor the Lord has provided, or else we won’t make it. The one who hates, steals, kills and seeks daily to destroy our souls doesn’t play fair. We must be prepared.

“Use all the armor and weaponry that God provides, so that you will be able to stand against the deceptive tactics of the Adversary. For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.

So take up every piece of war equipment God provides; so that when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist; and when the battle is won, you will still be standing.

Therefore, stand! Have the belt of truth buckled around your waist, put on righteousness for a breastplate, and wear on your feet the readiness that comes from the Good News of shalom. 

Always carry the shield of trust, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. And take the helmet of deliverance; along with the sword given by the Spirit, that is, the Word of God; as you pray at all times, with all kinds of prayers and requests, in the Spirit, vigilantly and persistently, for all God’s people.”

(Ephesians 6:11-18, Complete Jewish Bible)

Jesus did not promise us a rose garden - without a fight. It takes a willing spirit to say, “Here I am. Do in me what needs to be done, so I can do what I have been created to do.”

Can you say that? Can you pray that if you can’t say that now? The Holy Spirit is our Helper. Ask Him.

Be prepared. Get ready. The fight has been going on for centuries, ever since the time of Adam and Eve in the garden.

If you are weary from it now, Jesus can refresh you. His heart is to make yours strong, to walk in your purpose and what you have been created to do.

If you need more training - discipline yourself in prayer, read His instruction book we call the Bible, and stand with those who have the same kindred spirit to hear and obey.

Then run the race set before you - to win., Let your life be counted among those who, with Jesus Christ at the Marriage Supper of the victorious Lamb of God - will together celebrate His glorious victory over death and destruction. It will be worth whatever cost He asks us to pay. 

There is no other life worth living, than the one He has chosen and called you to live.

He is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Awesome God, the Savior of the world - for both the Jew and Gentile -Yeshua HaMashiach Himself.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People, Inc.

P.S. I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. They might need it. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

We are blessed when the ministry receives gifts to support the families that we do, primarily in Israel, Hungary, India, Pakistan and the hurting ones here in the USA. You also can share out of the abundance you have been given.

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.

Click 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 - In the Year of our Lord 05.29.17 - #286 – “The Battle in the Race” – Monday, 7 am - Memorial Day 2017

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

Again, I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

Blessed Man - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Blessed Man

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

‘Tis a blessed man of God I am;

So much of life I have to share.

Salvation came from my Lord above,

Now known by Him - my every hair.

When but a lad of five or so,

When Jesus came into my heart;

A Catholic boy in Iowa’s glow,

He’s blessed me from the very start.

Columbus High was where I went,

An education for life to come.

My teachers gave, and then was sent

To seek the Lord, and then some.

My wife to be was but a teen,

I had to wait for her - as us.

October’s light that 8^th was seen,

No worries Mom, don’t make a fuss!

Soon came forth the quiver full,

With Josh and Ben to start.

Then Hannah, Christen – there ain’t no lull!

A family now will never part.

First Derek, then Mahesh and Bonnie served;

Then came Barry & Batya - both Jews.

My fruitful work, for Him deserved,

Eternal reward – now that’s Good News!

I bless Chelsie, Andrew, Jonathan. When?

Spouses for my kids they are;

Plus Daniel, Logan, Dylan, Jensen,

Jack, Payton and Levi - by far!

Continues on my life these days,

To know His will and walk therein.

A blessed man in all His ways,

I love my Lord. Thus all for Him.

THANK YOU YESHUA (JESUS)!

And I love you too,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People, Inc.

Now Think On This #211 “Blessed Man” by Steve Martin on my 61^st birthday!

Date: In the year of our Lord 2015 (11.23.15) Monday at 6:30 am in Charlotte, NC

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

We Need His Gifts - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

We Need His Gifts

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.” (Hebrews 2:4 NASU)

When it comes down to the end, power verses power will be the action of the day. Living in the end of days, through the end time events coming upon the earth, will require us as believers to be equipped with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We will have to be empowered with His holy fire, that working within us to give the courage, boldness and overcoming power to defeat the enemy and his attacks.

You know Satan is going to use all the power he has been allowed to have, for a given time. We better be ready to fight back – not in our own power, but in the power of the Almighty God of Israel, who has given us the supernatural weapons for warfare.

The world is seeking the unseen and the supernatural. We see it in the movies being produced in Hollywood, the TV shows that more and more depict hidden witchcraft, portrayed as “good and wholesome”, and through the increasingly dark and evil manifestations that draw the young and old after them.

We can’t win the battles we face through our own abilities. No smooth talking words will achieve the necessary force that will stop Satan and his demon henchmen in their tracks.

We need the fire of the Holy Spirit, and the gifts the Lord has made available to us.

In 1973, when I was a senior at the Catholic Columbus High School in Waterloo, Iowa, I was seeking the Lord for more. I wanted a supernatural experience that my previous Catholic upbringing didn’t provide. Even after 12 years of religious upbringing, it wasn’t enough. I wanted more.

And as He always does, the good Lord responded to my seeking heart.

At a prayer meeting with others from my class, when hands were laid upon me to receive His Holy Spirit, I was baptized with the holy fire and supernatural love of the Lord. As both a sign and a wonder, I began to speak in tongues, even as they did in Acts 2. My life was changed forever from that day forward. I experienced what the early Church had been given the first time.

The Lord has made this available to us today, because He knows we need this empowerment.

“When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force — no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.

There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were thunderstruck. They couldn't for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, "Aren't these all Galileans? How come we're hearing them talk in our various mother tongues?

Parthians, Medes, and Elamites;

Visitors from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia,

Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,

Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene;

Immigrants from Rome, both Jews and proselytes;

Even Cretans and Arabs!

"They're speaking our languages, describing God's mighty works!"

Their heads were spinning; they couldn't make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: "What's going on here?"

Others joked, "They're drunk on cheap wine." (Acts 2:1-13 THE MESSAGE)

In these 42 years since that May day, I have used this gift from the Lord of speaking in tongues as my prayer language, allowing the Spirit of the Lord to intercede through me, on behalf of my family, my co-workers, my country, and the nations of the world. He has also built me up in my inner spirit, even as His word says it would.

Again, the gifts of the Holy Spirt are going to be most needed in the end of days. Those who will be standing will have been trained and daily walking in faith by using them.

“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed"; and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.  But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."

On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? But earnestly desire the greater gifts.” (1 Corinthians 12:1-31 NASU)

With the gifts of the Holy Spirit in use, we will be able to fight the onslaught of the enemy, encourage our brothers and sisters in the faith, and demonstrate to the world Who is the most powerful One on the throne. Working with all in the Body of Christ, together as each uses that which they have been given, we will demonstrate the miracles, signs and wonders that it will take to show the world His greatness.

Have you been baptized in the Holy Spirit? You can be. You will need to be. The Lord will freely give to you as you ask Him.

The coming days will require you to be equipped with all that the Lord has to give. Be ready.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People. Inc.

P.S. We sure could use your help to bless the families we do in Israel, India, Pakistan, Vietnam and the hurting ones here in the USA. Please give out of the abundance you have been given.

In May, 2016, my wife Laurie and I will be traveling to Israel to spend time with our friends. We support them in word and deed. We have our plane tickets in hand.

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.

Click 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 #201 “We Need His Gits” by Steve Martin 

Date: In the year of our Lord 2015 (11.01.15) Sunday at 6:15 am in Charlotte, NC

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

I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

Ahava Love Letter (#51) - "40 years ago..."

“40 years ago…” “They were all filled with the Ruach HaKodesh  and began to talk in different languages,  as the Spirit enabled them to speak."  (Acts 2:4 Complete Jewish Bible)

Dear family of friends,

When Terri Smith asked me to go to the meeting, that April in 1973, I thought, "OK. I am curious."

It was our senior year at Columbus High School in Waterloo, Iowa. I was looking forward to graduation a month later, with the other 108 classmates. Our last varsity spring baseball season would also be finished in June. (In case you were wondering - we didn't make it back to the baseball state finals, as we did my junior year.)

I really appreciated our small Catholic school, except when we got beat up, playing the three large public schools of East, West and Central Waterloo in football. Even my home town Cedar Falls High School always ran the score up on us. Sailor power only went so far. But we did triumph in basketball, track and field, and baseball of course.

Maybe something would happen at this prayer meeting that would last beyond high school.

It was somewhat known by a few in school that the Catholic Church had gotten involved in the Charismatic Movement back in '67, but I wasn't too much aware of it. My Mom had been going to some prayer meetings for some time. I was enjoying high school. (And in a good way.)

In His preparatory way, the weekend TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) event that I had gone on, for seniors back in November, had triggered something in my spirit. So I wanted to see what else would happen.

It was a small group who had gathered in Terri's house. Maybe five or six total. If I remember right (again, it was 40 years ago) someone talked and then several prayed. Over us. With hands on our heads. Praying in a different language, other than English or Spanish. They were quietly asking the Father to baptize us with His Holy Spirit, to "fill us", with "tongues” following.

And thus He came. Ruach HaKodesh. The Holy Spirit. And so did the evidence of speaking in tongues. For me. For the others there.

As these decades have passed, I have been continually aware of His presence, the Third Person in the Holy Trinity. He is The Comforter. He is the One who whispers to us, directing and imparting, if our internal ears and eternal spirit are open to listening and obeying.

Time spent in intercession, speaking in my prayer language, has increased immensely over these years. He uses my tongue to intercede for my beloved family and friends, for the office staff, for our  falling nation, and especially for the Jewish people of Israel.

Have you received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit? You can. And then you get to pray in tongues, the first gift He'll give you to use in power for daily victory.

And yes...there is something about the #40. This year I certainly am finding that out.

Ahava to my family of friends,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc. truly appreciates your generous support. Please consider sending a monthly charitable gift of $5-$25 each month to help us bless Messianic Jews in Israel. You can send checks to the address below. Todah rabah! (Hebrew - Thank you very much.)

©2013 Steve  Martin      Love For His People, Inc.  12120 Woodside Falls Rd. Pineville, NC 28134      

E-mail: loveforhispeople@gmail.com martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin  and  Love For His People       

Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople and ahavaloveletter 

Websites: http://loveforhispeople.blogspot.com         www.loveforhispeople.org

YouTube: Steve Martin (loveforhispeopleinc)

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858.  Tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation.

Ahava Love Letter #51   Date: In the year of our Lord 2013 (05/01/13 Wednesday 3:33 a.m. Charlotte, NC)