Standing in support of Israel, Jews, and believers in all the nations, in the name of Jesus (Yeshua). Sharing biblical truth, encouragement, news and prophecy.
A
Broken Relationship, or Something Else?
“Solomon said, “You were extravagantly generous in love with
David my father, and he lived faithfully in your presence, his relationships
were just and his heart right.” 1 Kings 3:6, The Message
We have all experienced the pain and hurt when a
relationship, one we may have long held, no longer continues. Whether it's a
misunderstanding, a lie, an incident one or the other doesn't want to “work it
out,” or even just weariness from struggles that never seem to end, the
friendship is over.
Companies fire employees. Marriages break apart. Parents and
their children walk away from each other in bitterness and resentment. People
leave churches, synagogues, and communities because of a “wrong word” or an
“unforgiving action.” It happens so many times.
I think of those in the Bible who experienced this, as all of
us have, where two who have walked together, worked together, did many things
together, no longer do so. They no longer want to mend the broken relationship.
Over. Done with.
It happened with David. It happened with Jesus. Paul and
Barnabas, two apostles set apart from the local church in Antioch to go out
together in ministry, parted ways after a big disagreement.
“Now it turned into such a sharp disagreement that
they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and
sailed away to Cyprus.” Acts 15:39, NASB
Are these always the work of the devil? Is it human nature
that we have ongoing problems and can’t seem to get along with people? Is it
due to pride, jealousy, wanting our own way, the way we want it? “My way or the
highway!”
Sometimes. Sometimes not.
I have had two primary relationships where I considered “my
best friend” turned their back on me. And it hurt. Forgiveness on my part, to
protect my spirit and soul, was the only way to go to keep me from ongoing
resentment, bitterness, anger, and not “burning the bridge”. It has also
happened in ministry, which should be of no surprise to anyone by now – that
ministries are not perfect, nor the greener grass necessarily.
Before Laurie and I got married in 1977, we told each other
that we would never use the “D” word in our marriage. The commitment we made to
each other, not having “divorce” as an option, has kept us together by our
Lord’s grace, binding us to that commitment. We had to work things out.
A good friend of mine (and still is) recently spoke of how
the Lord was taking him and me on separate paths. Is this a broken
relationship? No. We both sensed that our time working together, in so many
ways, was preparation for what now lay ahead for both of us. We will continue
to support one another in His plans and purposes, but the time for each of us
to “expand our tents” will lead us to do so on different pathways.
My prayer is for you to go the extra mile when necessary.
Persevere in your relationships to keep them strong and lifelong. Families,
churches, and synagogues need the Lord's unity to fulfill His Kingdom purposes.
You are meant to be a vital part of that.
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin
Message #4, 2026, “A Broken Relationship or Something Else?” Feb.
9, 2026, 2:30 pm
#BrokenRelationship #SomethingElse #SteveMartin #LoveForHisPeople #Jesus #Yeshua, #relationships #Paul #Barnabas #friends #linelleroux
|
.JPG)
Stop
and Rest
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give
you rest.” Matthew 11:28, NASB
When Laurie and I returned from our three-month service in
Jerusalem, Israel, in January 2026, we looked forward to getting together with
our friends for our monthly home group. It was being a little “re-formatted”,
as office people like to say, with not so much teaching and such, but more of a
family time. Friends together worshiping Jesus, having good fellowship, personal
prayer on the “hot seat” for one another, communion, and a bit of food to enjoy.
You know, appetizer things.
It was all good. Each was lifted up, built up in their spirit,
and refreshed.
In fact, when all the others had received a moment of
personal prayer and prophetic words, it was my turn. I always treasure these
moments. The Lord has a personal touch that He uses each of us to give to
others with the gifts He has bestowed, because He has a father’s heart, and
loves to give “good gifts” (Matthew 7:11, 1 Corinthians 12) to His children.
Not quoting word for word, because I didn’t have my phone
recording as I usually do for these times to remember later, one spoke these
words over me, “Steve, the Lord wants to give you a time of rest. To stop and
rest, after your recent service, for when He sends you back again.”
A time of rest was needed. Some, apart from the group, had thought
Laurie and my recent time in Israel was “a vacation”. Well, brothers and
sisters, as many of you know, giving out to those in need and wanting more is
not going on a vacation. Nor a cruise. It is time to empty yourself for others,
to do what the Lord has sent you to do. And by His grace, we did it.
Many of us don’t know how to stop and rest. We are like
Martha in Yeshua’s earthly time here, always working, always serving, always
giving out.
And Jesus had to say to her, too, “Martha, stop and rest.” (Steve
Martin translation.)
Resting in the Lord, though, is not just stopping and getting
off the fast train. That may be part of it, but not always.
It is not just sitting in front of the TV watching the game
or the latest movie. Or the fake news, which makes one more uneasy and
unsettled.
Stopping each day, in fact, to sit with the Lord, read His
Word, and give Him time to speak to you, is finding rest. Being encouraged in
your soul and allowing Him to fill you up again for the new day, the next “deployment,”
as I like to call it, is necessary for each of us. Our bodies, our souls, our
spirits were not meant to go on and on and on. We need to have time to stop and
rest.
Jesus Himself had to leave the many, find His resting spot on
the mountain, seek the Father, and rest.
I encourage you to do the same. Be sure to set aside a time
each day. You need it. He has it for you. Do it. Make it a daily practice in
your life.
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin
Message #1 in 2026, “Stop and Rest”, Jan. 26, 2026
#StopandRest #SteveMartin #LoveForHisPeople #Jesus #homegroup #familygroup #Israel #Jerusalem #restinHim #Godthe#Father
Larry & Bess Herzekow in Har Adar, Israel. Steve and Laurie Martin for Shabbat in their home.
Israel Presidnet Issac Herzog with Christian Friends of Israel leadership
(L-R Chairman Board Jennifer Kaplan, Sharon Sanders, Galay and Tristan Hall)
My good friend Avraham Saidien of Jerusalem, Israel
with his photo on my new book cover.
Purchase now: LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE book.jpg)
Purchase now: LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE book
#Mygoodfriend #AvrahamSaidien #Jerusalem #Israel #LoveForHisPeople
Abraham Walked in Faith
“By faith Abraham, when he was called,
obeyed [a]by going out to a place which he was
to receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was
going.” Hebrews 11:8, NASB
Journeys begin with a step. If you want to go forward, you must
step forward. When God calls us to move out, He is expecting us to do so by
trusting in Him, to have faith in His leading and provision.
All throughout the Bible, those who heard the Lord call
them had to respond. Not in fear or trepidation, but in the knowledge that He would
be with them each step along the way. If you and I look back and see where we
have come from, and His promises fulfilled in our lives thus far, we too can
have the courage and strength to trust Him for the next part of our life’s
journey.
I look to Abraham (Avraham in Hebrew), King David, the
prophets, and Paul as men, and women who joined them, as my example in how to
trust the Lord and walk in the calling He has given me. Above all, I keep my
eyes on my Lord Jesus, Yeshua HaMashiach.
“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!”
Hebrews 12:1-3, The Message
It is a faith walk. It must be a walk of faith. Otherwise,
anyone could do it. You and I are not anyone.
Because of our Redeemer, Who saved us to have eternal life
with Him, we can put our feet on solid ground, and go as the Holy Spirit, Ruach
HaKodesh, leads us on. Every step of the way as He guides. Though not easy, it
is rewarding and fulfilling as we see His hand, as believers in our God.
You have been called to be a man or woman of faith. Watch
those who walk among you who have grown in faith and in courage. Aspire to be like
them.
I have. You can too.
Ahava (love) and Shalom (peace),
P.S. Laurie and I head to Jerusalem, Israel for three
months. We walk in faith and are believing in the Lord to show Himself strong
on our behalf. You can read further here: The Martins in Jerusalem
We welcome your prayers and support as we together bless
Israel and His people in their Land.
Contributions are welcome online on our webpage. Look
for the little DONATE button on the right-side column. DONATE HERE.
Love For His People Ministry P.O. Box 1113 Pineville, North Carolina 28134 USA
Message #20 in my series (2025): “Abraham Walked in Faith" – Oct. 12, 2025
#Abraham #WalkedinFaith #Avraham #LoveForHisPeople #Jesus #Yeshua #faith #God #trust #HolySpirit #RuachHaKodesh #YeshuaHaMashiach #Israel #Jerusalem #KingDavid
