Faithful - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Faithful

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house.

(Hebrews 3:2-3, NASU)

Faithful. Now that is a word we don’t hear enough of these days when describing another, or when someone describes ourselves.

How often have you heard it being said of one, “He was faithful to his wife.” Or, “She kept her promises. If she said it, you can be sure she would do it. She was faithful to the end.”

So often we hear of the politician who said one thing before the election day, but once in office they seemed to have forgotten what they had spoken, and instead bend to the peer pressure surrounding them. Or the sad stories reported of school teachers taking advantage of their students, having sex with them, unfaithful both to their student and their commitment to teach truth.

It has been far too often that leadership has failed us. Out of their mouth has come one thing, but behind the scene it is discovered that unfaithfulness to their God and the people they were called to serve was the opposite of what picture was painted for the world to see. Disappointment may then come upon their followers, which then cause them to give up believing in anyone trustworthy. A cynical spirit is thus given a place to lodge in people’s hearts.

We have been called to be a witness of the Lord Jesus. He Who was faithful to the end, during His time on earth, and for all eternity, has too chosen and appointed us to be as He is – faithful and true.

“Thus says the Lord,

The Redeemer of Israel, their Holy One,

To Him whom man despises,

To Him whom the nation abhors,

To the Servant of rulers:

"Kings shall see and arise,

Princes also shall worship,

Because of the Lord who is faithful,

The Holy One of Israel;

And He has chosen You." Isaiah 49:7 NKJV

Our lives, demonstrated before the world, are to be ones proving the faithfulness of the One we serve. If we say we are going to do something, we must do it. If we commit to be there when we say we will, then we must be there. On time and ready for action.

The desire of the Lord’s child must be to someday hear Him speak to them the word He spoke in parable, “His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'” (Matthew 25:21-22 NKJV)

May it be said of us in our days that we are faithful, that we do what we will say we will do; that we keep our promises, no matter what the cost is to ourselves. May others say of us today, “They are faithful.”  And may our God say of us when we stand before Him on that day, “You are a good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.”

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, 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 New Year of our Lord 04.17.16 - #255 –“Faithful” – Sunday at 7:15 am

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

Endure Hardship As a Good Soldier by Elaine Tavolacci - Identity Network

Endure Hardship As a Good Soldier 

by Elaine Tavolacci

Identity Network

The Holy Spirit brought back a word that I had received a couple of years ago. Many of you have been proven faithful through very difficult times and have learned how to triumph over every obstacle in your path. You have allowed the Lord to strengthen you and you have persevered through horrendous storms, but now it seems as if the enemy has returned with a vengeance.

The Lord showed me an analogy of a luxury car.  A luxury car must go through greater testing than an economy car before it is released to the car dealership.  To test a luxury car such as a Ferrari they may have to hit a wall to test its strength.  They will perform crash tests to test the amount of pressure that it could stand.  They will run it through all seasons to check its performance and tolerance to adverse weather patterns.  It will be tested through the snow, the rain, the heat and extreme weather conditions.  

They will also test it on the mountains to see if it could pass the test of perseverance, stability and excellence.  They will test it on sharp turns and U turns to make sure it is agile enough for the winding roads and they will test it on rocky roads to test its endurance.  The reason why a luxury car needs more testing than an economy car is because it has to be proven for what it is worth.  We are also tested and tried for our value and worth in the kingdom of God.

Trying Times of Your Past

The Lord says; "It was the trying times of your past that has strengthened you to become the person whom I have created you to be.  Things may not have gone according to the way that you have planned, but know that I am preparing you for greater works in the days ahead. As the enemy tries to return with a vengeance, remember where I have brought you from. Don't lose your focus.

As you look back at the difficult times, you will see that there was a purpose and a plan.  Everything that you have endured will be used for My glory.  As you have stayed strong in times of adversity, I will now entrust you with greater responsibilities.  As you have allowed Me to restructure your life and make the proper adjustments, you will now become more effective in that which I have called you to do.

Every step has been necessary for the preparation of your spiritual growth.  Although you have wrestled and contended in this last season, it has made you durable and able to trust Me in this season.  Through difficult times you have learned not to allow frustration to overwhelm you but you have recognized the opportunities for the days ahead.

A Vessel Unto Honor

The adversities have not caused you to be hardened with bitterness but have made you pliable to be used as a vessel unto honor. 

As you stand steadfast, you will see the victory.  You will understand the preparation and the process is crucial for the days ahead, and there will be a positive outcome for every unfortunate situation.  As you allow Me to build you for endurance, your character and integrity will be strengthened.  There are lessons to be learned that are necessary for your advancement so that you could fulfill all that I have called you to do; says the Lord.

2 Samuel 22:35 He teaches my hands to make war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Psalm 18:32 It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect.

Psalm 144:1 Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.

2 Timothy 2:3-4 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

Elaine Tavolacci

www.awordinseason.info

www.TheVoiceOfBreakthrough.com

www.TheVoiceOfProphecy.com

Go here to read more articles by Elaine Tavolacci.

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God Is Pouring Out Prophetic Visions in This Season - JENNIFER LECLAIRE CHARISMA MAGAZINE

God Is Pouring Out Prophetic Visions in This Season

 2/11/2016 JENNIFER LECLAIRE  charisma magazine

We need to keep a watch on what the Lord is saying to us. (Flickr )

Jennifer LeClaire is now sharing her reflections and revelations through Walking in the Spirit, a new podcast from Charisma. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.

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In this hour of Christianity, God is looking for those who will stand watch, station themselves on the watchtower and keep watch to see what the Lord will say—and answer when they are reproved.

God is looking for those with a Habakkuk spirit who will not only see and hear, but record and proclaim—and keep proclaiming until the people's ears and eyes open to what the Lord is saying and doing. Once, when Habakkuk stood on the wall, He heard the Lord say this:

"Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but it speaks of an end and does not lie. If it delays, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay" (Hab. 2:2-3).

LISTEN TO JENNIFER'S PODCAST ON THIS TOPIC: Contending for the Prophetic Vision.

A Remnant Rising With Clear Vision

This is a right-now word for the body of Christ. There is a remnant rising with a clear vision from the Lord. Not everyone will catch that vision, but we must continue to speak it forth. It's not man's vision, it's God's vision.

In Habakkuk 2:2, the Lord told the man of God to write the vision. God intended for the prophet to make a record of what he heard. This is important for the sake of accuracy. When God speaks, whether in a conference setting or your prayer closet or somewhere in between, we need to make every effort to record the utterance so we don't miss a word of what God is saying—or inadvertently add to what He said.

JOIN JENNIFER ON FACEBOOK FOR SPIRITUAL COMMENTARY AND ENCOURAGEMENT. CLICK HERE.

It's important to understand that this oft-cited verse is not talking about just any vision. According to the KJV Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon, the word "vision" in that verse comes from the Hebrew word, chazown, which means vision (in ecstatic state); vision (in the night); vision, oracle, prophecy (divine communication) and vision (as title of book of prophecy).

Clearly, we need to embrace the Lord's vision. Unless the Lord builds the house—or the business or the family or anything else for that matter—they labor in vain who build it (Ps. 127:1). Maybe the Lord has given you prophetic vision for a project or for your life or maybe you are praying for a new vision. He's pouring out new prophetic visions in this season.

Rocking Religious Mindsets

Because these prophetic visions will rock religious mindsets and shake the status quo, you'll have to be determined to write them down, meditate on them day and night and, as Habakkuk 2:2 says, make it plain.

In other words, you need to rely on the Holy Spirit to interpret the vision rightly so that you can declare it clearly to those who are called to run alongside you in the vision. As Paul the apostle wrote, "If the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for the battle?" (1 Cor. 14:8).

Believe me, there's going to be a war over the prophetic vision God gave you—or the vision God gave your leader—and if you aren't clear, if it's not plain, you won't run with it or rise up and defend it from the enemy's abortive plans. Prophecy always brings warfare because the devil is after the word.

Exercising Patience for the Prophetic Vision

God has given some of you prophetic blueprints and plans that seem unimaginable. Some of you have been plowing for a long while now and aren't seeing the fruit you expected at this point in the journey. Take heart. Don't give up.

Habakkuk 2:3 says the vision is for an appointed time. The Hebrew word for time in that verse is moade, which according to the KJV Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon means "appointed time, sacred season, set feasted, appointed season, appointed meeting, appointed place and appointed sign or signal."

When God gives you a prophetic vision, it's inspiring. Waiting is the hard part. We must remember not to grow weary in well-doing because we'll reap in due season if we don't faint (Gal. 6:9). We must also remember that we inherit the promises of God through faith and patience (Heb. 6:12). And we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). And remember this:

"Where there is no vision, the people perish, but happy is he who keeps the teaching" (Prov. 19:18). The Hebrew word for "vision" in this verse is also "chazown." It speaks to prophetic vision. Keep casting the prophetic vision confidently or the people will let go, let loose and ignore what God is saying—and so may you.

If you don't give up, if you're diligent to keep declaring the prophetic vision, it will come to pass in the kairos moment. God is not a man that He should lie or the son of man that He should repent. As the Lord told Habakkuk, "If it delays, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay."

Jennifer LeClaire is senior editor of Charisma. She is also director of Awakening House of Prayer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, co-founder of awakeningtv.com, on the leadership team of the New Breed Revival Network and author of several books, including The Next Great Move of God: An Appeal to Heaven for Spiritual Awakening;Mornings With the Holy Spirit, Listening Daily to the Still, Small Voice of God; The Making of a Prophet and Satan's Deadly Trio: Defeating the Deceptions of Jezebel, Religion and Witchcraft. You can visit her website here. You can also join Jennifer onFacebook or follow her on Twitter. Jennifer's Periscope handle is @propheticbooks.

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

NEW from CHARISMA: Do you want to encounter the Holy Spirit and hear God speak to you? Increase your faith, discover freedom, and draw near to God! Click Here

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Closed Doors. Open Doors. - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Closed Doors. Open Doors.

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” (Acts 16:10 NASU)

The Lord speaks to us in order to get us to where He needs us to be. If we listen, we will hear His voice, know His ways, and fulfill the purpose He has planned for us. Something good will come then.

Do you want Him to do that for you? Are you ready?

There have been many times when I was in a situation that I did not know what to do. I remember once needing to make a critical decision, which would affect not only myself, but my family, friends around us, and the employment I had at the time. It involved a move to another state, for a ministry job opportunity, but at the same time we would be leaving family and that life which we had been familiar with. Prayer, fasting, guidance from others, and the Holy Spirit speaking to me brought the right decision.

We moved. Thank you Jesus.

That may seem just a common situation to some, as many people move all the time. Some would think it was just a matter of time and we would have moved anyway. Or I would have figured it out by myself, given further research and just making the decision to do it, letting the results be as they would.

Maybe.

But then I wanted to depend on the Holy Spirit to guide our steps, so even in that common example I had learned to ask Him to help me. And as I continue to learn, as I am being trained, I will be able to hear His voice distinctly in those times when more difficult, pressing issues come my way, and I really need to know the way to go, and make the right choice. Life or death may depend on it.

In the Scripture given at the beginning of this message, Paul had been trusting the Lord for direction, seeking which way he was to go. He was willing to do what the Lord wanted him to do.  People were depending on him. His team needed his leadership, and he needed to get it right.

He thought it was one way, and so he proceeded, literally, down that road. But in his going, he was directed to another way, another place. It came in the form of a vision. Sometimes His word will come in a dream. Often He tells us in a simple thought in our mind, which hopefully we don’t dismiss as a random thought.

Whichever way He choices to guide, we must know it is Him, and respond in obedience. For Paul, later it became apparent that this was a critical step in his walk in taking the Gospel to the Gentiles, the non-Jews. If he had not been expecting guidance from the Lord, Europe may not have heard the Good News in this time they needed to.

Have you ever been in a place in your life where the doors seemed to keep getting shut? It didn’t work the way you had expected, hoped for, figured it would? Have you ever thanked the Lord later, after His perfect plan was then revealed to you down the road, and you realized how He stopped you from going that way, because He had something better up ahead, and you just had to wait a bit more?I am sure you have, just like it happened in Paul’s life. Just as it has already happened several times in my own, and also in yours.

“They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.

A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” (Acts 16:6-10 NASU)

Paul was on the move. He had been wanting to go to Asia (modern day Turkey and surrounding lands), believing that was the next stop. But the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus, did not permit Him. Why did that happen? How did that happen?

The time was not yet right for the one location. The Lord stopped Paul to reveal to him where he was to be. Supernaturally.

You too can hear the Lord’s voice. You too can learn to depend upon Him, to hear His quiet leading, for He is more than willing to speak to you. And when a door is shut as you start to walk through it, you will not get discouraged and give up, but will seek Him for the open door that He has on ahead for you. Through His Holy Spirit’s guidance He will show you the way.

Learning to hear and obey now will be vitally important for when we are put in a situation where knowing the right door to go through is the only one that will work. You may be trying to push open a closed door that would cause harm for you and those close to you, not realizing the right open door is just another step ahead.

Depending on the Holy Spirit to guide our steps, speak to us with His answers, and show us what is the open door, so we don’t try to break down the closed ones, is vital. In these days we are living in, you and I will need to know the way to go, how to go, and when to go. 

Having that close relationship with the Lord and the Spirit of God speaking and leading will not be a luxury, but a necessity.

So 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 bless the families that we do in Israel, 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: LoveFor 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 New Year of our Lord 01.26.16 - #238 –“Closed Doors. Open Doors.” – Tuesday at 4:30 am

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

Chuck Pierce: God Says, 'I Will Shake! I Will Shake!' - CHUCK PIERCE CHARISMA MAGAZINE

'I will shake! I will shake! I will shake again!' (iStock photo )

Chuck Pierce: God Says, 'I Will Shake! I Will Shake!'

1/20/2016 CHUCK PIERCE  charisma magazine

This morning, the Lord gave me the following word for our nation, America, and the body within the U.S.A. However, if you are from another nation, I want to encourage you to use it for your homeland as well. I believe this is what the Lord is doing in His people worldwide.

Over the next six months, the nation of the USA will shake. This is the beginning of the Lord of the nations calling out and separating the nations.

"I will develop boldness like never before in a people who have grown acceptable and silent. Don't just look at others to lead the way, for a new spirit of boldness is coming upon you. I will be rearranging many things in your nation in the days ahead. I will start shaking the present church, and will bring a new anointing on the pastors and leaders of this land. I will shake! I will shake! I will shake again!

"I am choosing nations that will become sheep, a new people I am raising up for this hour. A different move of My Spirit is beginning. There will be a freedom moving among My people. A new wind of deliverance is coming into the church. What you swept clean in the past and reordered in the present will now be shaken. Many demonic hosts have returned to occupy the order of the last season. I must unseat that order and rearrange you into My order. Don't resist the shaking. A new move of healing will come. 

"I will have a two-year explosion of My Spirit. The underground fuse is being lit. The first responders are being re-fired for the future. There will be a sound that comes forth that will uncover what Satan has covered over and hidden. The day of occult confrontation has come!

"I will start separating nations and forming new sounds in My people that will realign their nation with My purposes. Those who do not allow a new move of My Spirit to unlock their present order will be stymied and stopped from advancing This is the day that the Valley of Decision of nations will be determined by the sound and worship of My people. Determine the worshipping, warring nations in the earth. A new sending anointing will be on the nations that unlock My sound.

"The sound of One New Man must be heard—not a sound of Jew or Gentile but a new sound of the One New Man in the nations. A new sending anointing will be on the nations that develop the sound of One New Man. Develop the sound in those who will go! Develop those with this sound who will walk the earth in this age! Get ready!

"This is the sound that I will disperse into the nations. My move will enter in and cross borders of many nations. I cannot be stopped. Shake, hear, receive the sound, walk forward and uncover what the enemy has covered over." 

Charles D. "Chuck" Pierce serves as president of Global Spheres Inc. (GSI) in Corinth, Texas. This is an apostolic, prophetic ministry that is being used to gather and mobilize the worshipping Triumphant Reserve throughout the world. Chuck also serves as president of Glory of Zion International Ministries, a ministry that aligns Jew and Gentile. He is known for his accurate prophetic gifting which helps direct nations, cities, churches and individuals in understanding the times and seasons in which we live. 

Chuck and his wife, Pam, have six children and seven grandchildren. He has authored over 20 books, including the best-sellers Interpreting the Times, Redeeming the Time, and Time to Defeat the Devil.  

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

NEW from CHARISMA: Do you want to encounter the Holy Spirit and hear God speak to you? Increase your faith, discover freedom, and draw near to God! Click Here

Did you enjoy this blog? Click here to receive it by email.

2016 - Plan On God Using You Like Never Before - BILL YOUNT

2016 - Plan On God Using You Like Never Before Posted: 03 Jan 2016   BILL YOUNT God is going to use you this coming year like never before. Make plans for it. If the Lord has called you to write, write. If it's painting, paint. If speaking, speak. If doors don't open for you to speak anywhere, go out in the woods and speak to the trees.  You will soon see trees as men walking. Speak to the mountains and you will start seeing them move, even in your own life. Billy Graham started by preaching to cows. God plans on using you this coming year like no other generation. The first reason is: The Lord needs you more than ever in a world that is falling apart. The second reason: The lost will be calling on you, asking you to give the reason for the hope that is in you. The Lord is sending His angels to loose you into the harvest fields with your gifts and talents. Don't worry about having enough training. Your trusting in the Lord will be your training this coming year. Make your plans now. It's time. Dear friends,  I am in the process of publishing a new book. If you have been encouraged by my writings and would like to contribute to this project, your gift will be tax deductible along with a personal thank you note. You may write your check out to Blowing The Shofar Ministry and mail to the following address below. Blowing The Shofar Ministry 132 East North Ave. Hagerstown, Maryland 21740

You Can Have a New Beginning in 2016—You Really Can - JENNIFER LECLAIRE CHARISMA NEWS

You too can have a new beginning this year. (Flickr)

You Can Have a New Beginning in 2016—You Really Can

12/28/2015 JENNIFER LECLAIRE  charisma news

Jennifer LeClaire is now sharing her reflections and revelations through Walking in the Spirit. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.

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About this time last year, the Holy Spirit told me 2015 was the year of new beginnings. I embraced that. I preached it all over the country. I heard many testimonies of the wonderful new things the Lord birthed in people's lives.

2015 was a year of new beginnings for me on many levels. In fact, it was one of the most meaningful years of my ministry. I entered into new assignments—including being named the first female editor of Charisma magazine—launched for a number of intercessory prayer initiatives, birthed awakeningtv.com and joined the New Breed Revival Network. I believe all of this—combined with the labor of many others in the body of Christ—is ultimately unto a Third Great Awakening.

This year, I released my best-selling devotional, Mornings With the Holy Spirit: Listening Daily to the Still, Small Voice of God. That was followed by The Next Great Move of God: An Appeal to Heaven for Spiritual Awakening, which shines lights on God's plans for America even in the face of doom and gloom. I traveled across the country doing media appearances and preaching prophetic messages of hope.

In South Florida, I'm building the Awakening House of Prayer to raise up an army of intercessors who will labor in prayer to see God's will done in the earth. My latest books, Jezebel's Puppets: Exposing the Agenda of False Prophets and Revival Hubs Rising: Revealing a New Ministry Paradigm for the Next Great Move of God, are coming out any day now, and I've got several new projects in the works, including a prophecy Bible and a new spiritual warfare book.

You Can Have a New Beginning

I didn't tell you all that to boast—except maybe in a Lord who can do wonders through someone like me. You may not know my testimony, but I got saved in a jail after being accused of a crime I didn't commit—after my husband abandoned me with our 2-year-old baby nearly two decades ago. I never forget where God has brought me from and I know what it's like to need a new beginning.

You can have a new beginning too. Now is the time to determine that you will press past the past and press into a new beginning. You can birth those new things that Lord has put in your spiritual womb. You can't make it happen in your own strength. I mean to say that you can't do God's part. But you can do your part. As we wrap up 2015, the year of new beginnings, let me leave you with some lessons I shared across the country this year that helped many break into God's new thing.

1. Give your will over to the Lord.

What you are birthing may seem scary to you or it may seem insignificant to you. It may seem overwhelming to you. We can take a lesson from Mary. It's time to face your fears—fear of the unknown, fear of failing, fear of rejection, fear of transition. When the angel came to Mary and told her she would birth the Son of God, she ultimately responded: "I am the servant of the Lord. May it be unto me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).

2. Be willing to adjust your schedule.

When you are expecting a baby, you are preparing for its birth. Women, we change the way we eat, the way we sleep and how we spend our time. As we prepare to enter a year of new beginnings and birthings, we must be willing to adjust our schedules and to spend more time in the Word, in worship and in prayer. That may mean giving up other things. "Therefore, since we are encompassed with such a great cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12:1, emphasis added).

3. Be willing to shift your direction.

I've had a number of baby dreams over the years. In one of my baby dreams I was nine months pregnant but the baby had stopped moving. The baby wasn't kicking or rolling or showing any sign of life. I thought the baby was dead and I panicked. Then, suddenly, I had the unction to shift the baby's position with gentle pressure from my hand. (I later researched this and discovered there's a name for it: the Diaphragmatic Release.) When I did, I could feel the baby kicking again. I knew all was well.

Sometimes things look dead, but you just have to reposition yourself for life. It doesn't always take much. Just one gentle movement in the right direction can cause God to breathe on that thing again so you can birth it and begin nurturing what God has given you to steward. But you need to hear from the Lord about which way to shift. Remain close to the Holy Spirit, and "your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left" (Is. 30:21).

If God has given you something to birth, it may be time to pull an Ezekiel and speak to those dry bones. It may be time to pull an Elijah and raise it from the dead. It may be time to walk away from the Ishmael. Refuse to abort and just reposition yourself to receive what God intended all along. You could just be in the wrong place or in the wrong time or with the wrong people. Listen to the Lord.

4. Embrace the transition.

Transitions are difficult. This is the place where people tend to grow weary and faint. The moments right before you give birth to that new thing—before you enter that new beginning—are the hardest of all.

And here's a fifth point: Don't give up. I always say that the best thing I have going for me is not my communication skills or even spiritual gifts. It's the fact that I absolutely, positively refuse to give up. I just don't have any quit in me. That doesn't mean I don't get discouraged. I do. It doesn't mean I don't feel like quitting on some days. I do. It just means that for all the thoughts and words I may speak about throwing in the towel on my toughest days, I always get back up again.

In 2016, let that be you. Sometimes victory in spiritual warfare really is just a matter of outlasting the devil. Keep pressing! Jesus is your victory banner.

Jennifer LeClaire is senior editor of Charisma. She is also director of Awakening House of Prayer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, co-founder of awakeningtv.com, on the leadership team of the New Breed Revival Network and author of several books, including The Next Great Move of God: An Appeal to Heaven for Spiritual Awakening;Mornings With the Holy Spirit, Listening Daily to the Still, Small Voice of God; The Making of a Prophet and Satan's Deadly Trio: Defeating the Deceptions of Jezebel, Religion and Witchcraft. You can visit her website here. You can also join Jennifer onFacebook or follow her on Twitter. Jennifer's Periscope handle is @propheticbooks.

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LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE FEATURED BOOK

In 2010 the Lord God of Israel, my Savior Jesus Christ (Yeshua HaMashiach), led me to start the ministry we call Love For His People. Its primary purpose is to share the love of the Lord with the nation of Israel, Jews around the world, and the people in all the nations as we can. 

For that end, through social media, writing and distributing books, and in person ministry, we are seeing the love of Jesus spread. We are grateful that He has given us much love in order to do just that. We often hear the word “love” spoken out loud, and written about, in many ways. It has contrasting meanings to the wide range of people that exist, as it is expressed in different methods through people. 

When it has all been said and done, there is an eternal love that will stand the test of fire. Because the biblical expression of love, laying down one’s life for his friends, has eternal value, this love from God the Father to His creation is the type that I most seek after and try to share. 

In these short chapters of Arms of Love, which is also the title of a song Laurie and I sang while leading various church worship meetings, and as the lead singers in our Ahava Love Band, I share some aspects of how I believe the Bible speaks of love. For you who are about to read this, my prayer is that your heart will be enlarged with His, and you too will become one, even more, to give love for His people, both Jew and Gentile, both saved and unsaved. 

I hope that as you read these chapters, you will become more inspired to spend time with the Lord, experience His heart of love, and share it with our fellow man. The world needs to know the love of God. 

Steve Martin 

Love For His People

Charlotte, NC 

Dec. 2015

Check here: Arms of Love Paperback $5.95 KIndle $1.99