Keep searchin’. Steve Martin, Love For His People
| June 16, 2023 Charlotte, North Carolina Greetings to my family and friends of Love For His People Ministry. 50 years ago I graduated from high school in Waterloo, Iowa (Columbus High School), and I recall going to TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) my senior year. It had a big impact on me, especially being I was a practicing Catholic at the time, and was not fully aware of Who the Lord was personally, and how much He had in store for me. I share this message “Searchin'” as I reflect upon our ongoing need to keep seeking, searching, looking for His acts in our lives, so that we can fully walk in His ways He has ordained for us. Enjoy your summer! And enjoy this new message too! Ahava and shalom,  Steve MartinFounder, Love For His People Ministry P.S. When you share this message with another, they too can receive these emails directly into their InBox by signing up here for the future ones: SIGN UP |
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| Searchin’ “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9, NKJV In February 1974 the music band Chicago (originally named Chicago Transit Authority for those who really knew them) came out with the song, “(I’ve Been) Searchin’ So Long. Having just graduated from high school the year before (50 years ago May 2023!) I had been invited to participate in what was called Teens Encounter Christ (TEC), a weekend for high school seniors put on by the Catholic organization of the same name. Being I had attended a weekend in my own senior year in 1973, I was very happy to be among the leaders to share what the Lord Jesus had done, and Who He was, in my own life at that time. With no “outside” influences to distract us (no watches, TV, radio, etc.) during the 3-day event, the 20+ guys had a good weekend to reflect, and to search, for the Lord themselves, hoping they would make a lifelong commitment to know and follow Him. I was to give a short presentation, later learning it was called my testimony in “evangelical terms”, and I played the Chicago song as a lead-in. My heart was pounding as I had never done this before – a nineteen-year-old Catholic boy witnessing to others who had been raised in the Catholic church. Not something we were accustomed to doing. The full lyrics are as follows: As my life goes on I believe Somehow something’s changed Something deep inside Ooh a part of me There’s a strange new light in my eyes Things I’ve never known Changing my life Changing me I’ve been searchin’So long To find an answer Now I know my life has meaning, oh Now I see myself as I am Feeling very free Life is everything Ooh it’s meant to be When my days have come to an end I will understand What I left behind Part of me I’ve been searching so long To find an answer Now I know my life has meaning, whoa Searching (don’t you know I’m) For an answer To the question Oh yeah”Who am I?” Maybe (maybe it’s true) It’s only natural (it’s only natural baby, yeah) Good things in life Take a long time (yeah yeah) Source: LyricFindSongwriters: James Pankow(I’ve Been) Searchin’ So Long lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group I had accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior prior to that time, and knew what impact, and salvation, He would have in their life if they too would choose to follow Him. My heart was that these young men, all in their late teens, would also believe on Him, and let Him lead each one to their full destiny that only He can reveal to them and give them through His Holy Spirit. As I look back on that time, I realize that each of us needs to continually search for the One Who alone can lead and direct our steps. In an earlier message I wrote, “ Next Step”, I shared how even now I personally was expecting of the Lord to show me what He has next for myself and others, even these 50+ years later.It is a good thing to depend on the Lord. I trust you are still searching daily for the Lord’s heart for you, His people Israel, and the plans He has written of and will fulfill in our lifetime. I trust your heart is still searching for the Life He alone gives, and you are walking in faith and trust for Him to fulfill all that He has called you to be, for His glory and honor. If not, keep searchin’. Even as He promised to the Jews, as we see today returning to their Land of Israel as He prophesies and promised, He will be found by all who seek Him. “I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.” Jeremiah 29:14, NKJV “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6, NASU Ahava and shalom, Steve Martin Founder, Love For His People Message #143 in this series – in the year of our Lord 06.16.23 – “Searchin’” – Friday, 8:30 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. |
