The Grief, Pain, and Sorrow of Holidays - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

The Grief, Pain, and Sorrow of Holidays

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation." (Psalm 91:14-16, NKJV)

The winter Saturday had been rather long, though the daylight hours were shorter now. Our Dachshund dog woke me up at 3:00 am, needing to go out. After a time of Bible reading and prayer, I had to wait until 6:30 am to go to WalMart when they opened. I had forgotten my 20“x24” poster frame at the self-serve checkout counter the day before. (I know. How can you forget an item that big when you leave? Don’t know. I just did.)

Long-time-no-see nephew and niece-in-law came by the house a few hours later, after picking up their oldest daughter (of five girls, and one son) from the college campus dorm in a town nearby. With them having a full house, my childhood days helped realize a few of their days. We had a truly delightful time with them. All eight. Their husband/dad had just gotten home from his fourth or fifth tour of duty the week before - Afghanistan (2x), Iraq (1) and Bosnia (1) over the years. So I guess that is four, unless I missed one. That I may have forgotten too.

Needing more photos frames for an idea I had made another trip to Walmart necessary (no advertising dollars for this plug given this way). By late afternoon I had completed my gift wrapping of 19 presents, fed the dog, ate the leftover chicken wings from a family Christmas party the night before, and told my good wife I needed to shut my eyes for a few minutes after she got home from her shopping.

Sitting in my regular prayer chair, I closed my eyes, anticipating a power nap. It didn’t happen.

This grief, pain and deep sorrow then came over me. I quickly realized it wasn’t any of my emotions coming to the surface, buried far below from days gone by. I had no reason to feel that, given the joy, peace, and love from God the Father in my life recently. Someone else was experiencing this.

This Holy Spirit word of knowledge, which often comes as a thought, word or emotion “out of nowhere”, was given to me to start interceding for another (or more). I knew not who, or where they were. They, at that moment, or within a few days prior or even forthcoming, were suffering from loss, and maybe exceptional rejection. Holy Spirit knew their need and knew I was available.

The holiday season wasn’t the joy, peace, and love that they wanted so bad to have too. And needed so much to experience. They were hurting.

Maybe a very close loved one had passed during this season in years gone by, or a spiteful rejection by a longtime friend left them clinging to any glimpse of hope they could grip onto, Possibly loneliness from not having family or friends nearby, as others did, was enveloping their spiritual being. 

Whatever the reason, one of these events or another trauma was causing this very real moment in time hopelessness, helplessness, and gut-wrenching emotional pain. I could really sense it in my spirit, coming from Holy Spirit.

Praying in tongues was my immediate reaction. God the Father was reaching out to embrace this one, who was needing to now know of His longtime committed love for them. Whether they knew Him or not, He fully knew them and was there to bring comfort and healing balm to their soul.

Maybe this is you? Maybe it is a bad memory, an unresolved, rejected relationship lost; or a Christmas went wrong that you never, ever want to remember or experience again. Please know that our God knows, and is wanting to reach out to you, bringing His love, peace, and joy into your heart right now, right at this moment.

Here are the full Bible verses of Psalm 91 for you to read.

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust."

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.

Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place,

no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up,

lest you dash your foot against a stone.

You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation." (Psalm 91, NKJV)

I have known deep loss. I have suffered rejection by ones who once called me their good friend. I am sure you have too.

You can be healed from this. You can forgive, and also receive forgiveness for anything on your end. It is not the end of the world. It can be the new beginning, whether you or 22 or 72.

May my prayer, and others so led and directed by Holy Spirit Himself, bring you the restoration and emotional surgery that you so long to acquire. May this be a true season of joy, peace, and love, as it was meant to be.

In Jesus, it certainly can.

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

P.S. Want an adventure walking on short adventures? Check this out: "Walk With Me" video series with Steve Martin. 

Also, I hope you get my latest book, Adventures in Courage, out this November. Paperback or Kindle versions. My 19^th authored publication. (Yes, this is an advertisement!) Still time before Christmas! Buy here on Amazon: Adventures in Courage

If these messages have ministered to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $10-$50 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families in Israel whom we consistently help monthly through our humanitarian work. Your tax-deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

  

Secure, conveniently contributions can be done online now. Click here: DONATE 

(or use the DONATE buttons on the blog.)

Contribution checks can be sent to: 

Love For His People, Inc. 

P.O. Box 414   

Pineville, NC 28134

Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.) 

Please share Now Think On This with your friends on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, and LinkedIn.  We appreciate your help.

Now Think On This #376 - in the year of our Lord 12.15.18 – “The Grief, Pain, and Sorrow of Holidays”  Saturday 6:30 pm

Intimate - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Intimate

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8, NASU)

Most people fear to be intimate. Decades of rejection, initially in our lives due to the separation we had with our God until new life, rebirth took place, kept us from having honest, soul to soul communication with Him and with each other. I know I do, struggling at times to express what I really want to. It’s that sense of uncertainty of what the other may think, feel, or want to share with us in return.

It is quite common I believe among us. We want to. We need to. But we somehow can’t. (Especially for us macho men!) So we have the small talk, the short quips, the “meet and greet” five minutes during the church service.

We are missing out on being intimate, especially with our Lord Jesus. And that is the One we really need to start with. If we can’t be intimate with our Creator, our Father, the One who gave Himself totally for us, how can we be intimate with one another? I am still seeking to find out what all is missing. The lack, I need. The love and intimate cup need to be filled more often than it has been.

There have though been real moments in being with the Lord, those times when touching His heart has just been a real, reachable joy. Those “almost raptured” times during God-filled worship in a large gathering of His people, when the anointing of the Holy Spirit just comes over us. It seems as close to being with Him that we may know, this side of eternity. It’s as if we just can’t hug Him enough; speak words of built-up heart thanks to Him; crawl up in His lap and sit, staying in His presence, not wanting to leave that place for a long, long time.

Sounds too heavenly, right? Not attainable you say? But it is.

Because of His tortuous pain on the brutal cross, we can now receive healing.

Because of His tearing down the huge curtain of separation, we can now touch Him.

Because of Who He is and what He has done, we can be as close as we want to be with Him.

“But I'm in the very presence of God — oh, how refreshing it is! I've made Lord God my home.

God, I'm telling the world what you do!” (Psalm 73:28, THE MESSAGE)

David need not be one of the few who knew what it was to be close, to draw near, to really get close to God. It is not a scary thing. It is an awesome thing. We CAN know, deep in our soul, deep in our spirit, close to our heart, His presence.

Let me share something personal as if I usually don’t most often.

Zoe Girl Martin - pure love

I can finally declare that I am thankful for my dog, especially with this particular action on her part. It has taken me a few months to come to this point where I can say, “Thank you Lord for Zoe, this 12-year old Dachshund you created, who has to get up now once or twice in the middle of the night, drink a big bowl of water, and then let it all out. Yes, I can finally say, “Thank you, Lord.”” (She has Cushing’s. You’ll have to look that up if you are curious enough.)

Because…along with the re-energization that I get each time I return from being in the land of Israel (the promised land for both Jews and those who the Lord has joined together along with them), with the Lord’s Spirit waking me up in the middle of the dark night since then, my little 14 pound Zoe also gets me up in the middle of the silence and almost deep sleep. Because of Him using her, I have had more moments of experiencing intimate times with Him these past days and months.

When all is quiet, undisturbed, and time is given for taking time to be with Him alone…putting on the earphones, tapping the praise and worship music app on the smartphone playlist, and just giving Him seconds, minutes, maybe even an hour to be with me, in intimacy, has refreshed my soul, lifted my spirit, and renewed the initial vision, purpose and plans He has to reveal even further. He has given me times of being intimate with Him.

And yes, it is possible to be intimate with each other I am certain. It starts with being intimate with our Lord, where His heart first becomes yours, and His life then dwells in ours.

I like to sleep. Most of us do. Sometimes I believe it is overrated when we could be doing so much more. But I no longer mind it when the Holy Spirit awakens me in the middle of the night, using Zoe or any other means He chooses. Being with Him is worth the time.

My prayer, both for you and I, is very simple. “Lord, we want You. We need You. Come and fill my heart with Who You are so we can love those who yet don’t know, or want to know You more.”

May He answer this prayer for you and me today, tomorrow, and beyond.

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

P.S. Want an adventure walking the streets of Jerusalem? Come with me sometime! And in the meantime, watch my short videos that I recorded in October 2018 as I did that just that. Jerusalem October 2018 playlist

If these messages have ministered to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $10-$50 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families in Israel whom we consistently help monthly through our humanitarian work. Your tax-deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

  

Secure, conveniently contributions can be done online now. Click here: DONATE 

(or use the DONATE buttons on the blog.)

Contribution checks can be sent to: 

Love For His People, Inc. 

P.O. Box 414   

Pineville, NC 28134

Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.) 

Please share Now Think On This with your friends on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and LinkedIn.  We appreciate your help.

Now Think On This #369 - in the year of our Lord 11.20.18 – “Intimate”  Tuesday, 5:00 am

Every tear. Every heartache. Every wrong committed against you. He was there. He still is.

Every tear. Every heartache. 

Every wrong committed against you. 

He was there. He still is.

The times when you felt alone, and no one was there to comfort you. Please remember that Jesus was there for you.

Remember when it was dark in your bedroom at night, as you lay trying to be really quiet, but hearing sounds kept you awake, making you a bit frightened. Jesus was there.

If you experienced sexual abuse as a child, at the hands of a "loved one" - someone in your home that was supposed to be the one caring for you, nurturing you, raising you the right way. But hurt you badly. You were not alone. Jesus was there.

Lost in the woods. Lost in the parking lot. Left alone in the huge store, scared that your parents had left you. You know what? Jesus was there.

You didn't know it then. You may not believe it now. But it is true, and He wants to reveal Himself to you. 

Jesus is the One you really long for. Jesus is the One who can really comfort you, wrap His big arms around you. Let you know that He will always be with you and never forsake you.

Many times we don't sense His presence, or hear His voice, but you can be certain, deep in your troubled heart, that you are really, sincerely, absolutely, certainly loved.

"Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

Jesus loves you. Ask Him now to show you that He is real. He will.

Steve Martin

Love For His People
Charlotte, NC. USA

Nov. 18, 2018  Sunday, 5:15 am

"How to Move Mountains" Jennifer Martin - The Elijah List

Jennifer Martin

October 27, 2018  THE ELIJAH LIST

"How to Move Mountains"
Jennifer Martin, Nashville, TN

From the Desk of Steve Shultz:

I was really intrigued as I read through this latest article by Jennifer Martin about "moving mountains." After all, Jesus said we could move mountains and cast them into the sea...say what?

Jennifer starts out with this in her article:

Can we really move mountains? When Jesus spoke of moving mountains by faith, did He actually want people to physically move the mountain? I mean, even Jesus Himself never moved one as far as I know. Interesting that Jesus talks about it yet having never done it Himself. Did the Father want Him to demonstrate to us how to actually move a mountain and throw it into the sea?

Now, read on and find out how you can move mountains in your life! (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)

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Enjoy!

Steve Shultz, Founder and Publisher
The Elijah List & Breaking Christian News
http://www.elijahlist.com

*************************************

"How to Move Mountains"
Jennifer Martin, Nashville, TN

Dear friends,

Can we really move mountains? When Jesus spoke of moving mountains by faith, did He actually want people to physically move the mountain? I mean, even Jesus Himself never moved one as far as I know. Interesting that Jesus talks about it yet having never done it Himself. Did the Father want Him to demonstrate to us how to actually move a mountain and throw it into the sea?

I'm sure Jesus would have done it, if it was the will of the Father. And Jesus did say in John 5:19,  "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner." So I'm assuming the reason Jesus didn't go around demonstrating His power by throwing mountains was because He didn't see His Father doing it. Wow! Think about that for a minute. The focus is not throwing mountains, but seeing what is impossible becoming possible with God. Matthew 19:26 reminds us that, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Nothing Will Be Impossible for You

Jesus was trying to make a point and get something deep in our hearts about what faith actually looks like and where it comes from. If He had used another example, we may not have gotten the point at all. Because something smaller might have been possible to do without faith, maybe we could handle small things by hand or by force. We could work many situations merely by trying to find a solution and stretching forth our hands to work. So there are times when things are possible with man.

But in this case, what do we do with a mountain? How could we possibly move a mountain by hand, right? People had to be thinking: "What does He mean by 'moving mountains'? It can't happen!" But Jesus gave the answer when He said, in Matthew 17:20, "…if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you."

So, if I just have a tiny bit of FAITH, I can move this mountain? I don't need some big, massive army to cut-down every tree, but just a tiny-sized seed of faith? Yes! It is supernatural. It is not by force, not by hand, but by faith.

I can hear the disciples asking, "So Lord, You mean that there are times when we really can do nothing? That we have to just believe in and rely on God alone?"

Jesus said in John 11:40, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?"

Just Believe and Do Not Doubt

Yes! There are many times when our efforts won't change a thing. Our actions won't bring results. There are times when after you've done all, you must stand (Ephesians 6:13). We must see the great strength in "just" standing, "just" believing, "just" resting and "just" waiting. There is power in the waiting. Isaiah 40:31 encourages us that, "They who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

God sees our faith! Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. You must not give up hope that God is truly "...a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

Only believe! That's the one requirement. Just believe. Then, you will see God's glory manifest in your life. You will see that mountain move... always. It's time to wipe away the doubt, wipe away the fear, wipe away the "what ifs," and believe in the impossible again.

Faith is simply believing God to move that mountain. True faith will come out of a position of rest. Rest moves mountains and your mountain will move by resting in God's faithfulness to you. You don't have to scream at your mountain; you don't have to yell threats or take it down. Simply rest. Simply trust. Simply believe. Your mountain is moving while you rest.

FAITH MOVES GOD, AND GOD MOVES MOUNTAINS!

Your friend,

Jennifer Martin
Contagious Love International

Email: Info@contagiousloveintl.com
Website: www.contagiousloveintl.com

Munday and Jennifer Martin are committed to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to America and the nations, equipping a supernatural Jesus generation who will manifest miraculous lives to impact communities and culture. Munday and Jennifer both minister and preach in the glory, blazing a trail of reformation, miracles, healings, signs and wonders, salvations, and intense outbreaks of the glory of God in churches, conferences, crusades, and the streets in the U.S. and the nations, leading many into the fullness of God in 28 nations. They have been ordained by James Goll and Jeff Jansen, and are part of Global Connect, as well as H.I.M. (Che Ahn's coalition of leaders).

Names & Numbers - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Names & Numbers

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“As for you, every hair on your head has been counted.” (Matthew 10:30, Complete Jewish Bible)

Just As I Am, ((HarperOne/Zondervan, 2007) the autobiography of Billy Graham, is a massive book of 801 pages (with many more pages of historic photos). I started reading it a week ago. One thing I particularly noticed is the numerous names of people met and the numbers of attendance records that Dr. Graham gives attention to. Wanting to be as accurate as possible, with no “evangelistically speaking” stretching of the truth, he commits to writing the decades of crusades and countries where the Gospel of Jesus Christ was preached by him and his team. In reading these accounts, it gives me even more respect for Billy Graham, along with his wife Ruth, who stood with him through many of his 99 years.

When it comes to names, like myself, you too may have trouble remembering one when a person you haven’t seen in several years comes back into your world. Try as you might, you search the memory banks, seeking to recall something that will help the process. When success does come, gratitude for needed assistance follows. It is especially important when that person happens to be a relative or friend whom you haven’t seen in ages.

Billy Graham preached the simple Gospel – the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. He learned early on to focus primarily on the Cross of Christ, bringing truth into a world filled with lies and deception. Of the millions who responded to his message, life sprung forth for eternity. Each person who acknowledged the redemptive work of the cross received the resurrection power to overcome death and despair.

At times we feel we get lost in the crowded population. Just having a number as the record keeper of our file isn’t enough to bring the needed feeling that we are worth more than just being another number in someone’s storage cabinet. Having a personal connection with our Creator is what so many long for, realizing it or not. That is why He Who created us sees us more than just being another name, another number. He wants us to know Him intimately, to realize that our very purpose and place means so very much to Him. His desire for us is one of the very precious factors that draw us to Him day after day.

Writing of these simple truths may not bring many accolades or seem to be accomplishing much among the great scholars and works out there in the published world, but at times a simple word is much more appreciated than a complicated, complex dissection of matter that just doesn’t seem too personal. Our God is a personal God. He knows us each by name. And as the Bible also says, He has each of our hairs numbered. Simple truth.  Simple love.

Next time you feel a bit lost in a crowd, or thinking you have been forgotten in a mass of names and numbers, know that the One who brought you into this world cares deeply for you. He promises to never leave you nor forsake you, and will see you through to the promised end.

Your name, and your number among the billions, are very personal to God the Father. We can rest in His trusted Word that we will not be lost in the masses, but will receive guidance and provision in our daily walk with Him.

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this,

  

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

Please be sure to sign up for our newsletter. Use the "Sign Up" button on our website, or go here: Sign Me Up!

If these messages have ministered to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $10-$50 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families in Israel whom we consistently help monthly through our humanitarian work. Your tax-deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

  

Secure, conveniently contributions can be done online now. Click here: DONATE 

(or use the DONATE buttons on the blog.)

Contribution checks can be sent to: 

Love For His People, Inc. 

P.O. Box 414   

Pineville, NC 28134

Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.) 

Please share Now Think On This with your friends on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and LinkedIn.  We appreciate your help.

Now Think On This #350 - in the year of our Lord 08.15.18 – “Names & Numbers”, Wednesday, 10:00 am

Family Ties - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Family Ties

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“Delighted with the world of things and creatures, happily celebrating the human family.” (Proverbs 8:31, THE MESSAGE)

Summertime is a good season for family reunions. It’s an annual gathering of relatives who enjoy talking about the good old days, when life wasn’t so complicated as it can seem today. Cherished in recollection are those years of the days gone by when right was right and wrong was wrong. Sharing moments of “back then” helps shed light on how things should be now.

I myself will be attending two such events this summer – one on my Dad’s side and one on my Mom’s side. Both will take place in southeastern Minnesota, the land where many of my ancestors, relatives and I were born and raised.

Around my current home location, in beautiful North Carolina, it is enjoyable to see family reunions using the picnic tables at local city park shelters when you see the brightly colored t-shirts, all the same color of course, proclaiming the family name and reunion date. At times you might even see matching ball caps, as I provided when I was in charge of our family reunion.

Picture the Father’s loving heart as He also sees these family times. Watching the adults and children, some very young and others very old, with all ages in between, is very special, as they are reconnecting, interacting, and showing appreciation for the lives each has traveled, while at the same time making more memories for the generations that follow. You can see how the One who created family expresses Himself even further when His children know and experience the bonds of love, support and encouragement that comes about when families thrive. His care, provision and protection is demonstrated over and over again as the family unit is cherished and nurtured.

As important as these natural gatherings are, in order to follow His lead, part of my earthly father’s duties is to take the spiritual responsibility to pray daily for each of my immediate family members. My good wife, children, spouses and grandkids know that their names are brought before the throne of heaven often. Caring for them in this manner will further maintain that foundation laid, from which to keep looking up. It is from where their help supernaturally comes. Sharing my Father’s heart assists in continually strengthening theirs.

As we can share in these natural and supernatural moments of love, may each of us as parents strive to be a safety net for those whom we have been given care for, from the time of birth, through the growing years, and even until the time of eternal passage. Though many of our children are now grown adults, may we continue to be a source of strength and encouragement for them, and for the ones that have also come forth.

Enjoy your family reunion should you be blessed with one. Continue to be an example of the Father’s love for His children, and how He has purposed for us to be connected with these times of family ties.

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

Please be sure to sign up for our newsletter. Use the "Sign Up" button on our website, or go here: Sign Me Up!

If these messages have ministered to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $10-$50 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families in Israel whom we consistently help monthly through our humanitarian work. Your tax-deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

  

Secure, conveniently contributions can be done online now. Click here: DONATE 

(or use the DONATE buttons on the blog.)

Contribution checks can be sent to: 

Love For His People, Inc. 

P.O. Box 414   

Pineville, NC 28134

Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.) 

Please share Now Think On This with your friends on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and LinkedIn.  We appreciate your help.

Now Think On This #347 - in the year of our Lord 07.16.18 – “Family Ties”, Monday, 11:30 am