For the word will come to pass...Steve Martin, Love For His People ministry

For the word will come to pass...

May 22, 2019

As I reviewed emails, documents, and other items recently, that I keep for such a time as this, I found this email dated August 5, 2004, that I sent to a friend of Laurie and mine who was living in Texas, whom we had known since our days in Fort Lauderdale together in 1988-1990. We had since moved onto Charlotte, North Carolina, while she had moved to the Lone Star State.

I believe in the Lord's move in our lives and His prophetic destinies that He gives each of us. We need to be watching and aware of them.

While we know in part at one time in our life timeline, in due time He reveals His plan that we are to walk in and walk out. Each of us can know His will, and be in the center of it if we choose to seek Him continually, day by day.

Though I never worked at Morningstar, as I had desired and written in the email, Laurie and I were members of the congregation for several years. 

Now, since May 1, 2018, Laurie and I are back at Antioch International Church in Fort Mill, South Carolina, on the former Heritage USA/PTL grounds also. On Oct. 1, 2018, I have been on the staff of the congregation which now meets within the church building.

As the Lord had already planned, AIC occupies another of the main buildings built by Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker in the early 1980's - The Barn and Studio (location of the PTL Show). 

Christians For Messiah Ministries, founded by Dr. Peter Wyns, bought the property complex on April 24, 2014. I was a member of his board at that time. This June 2019 we will celebrate the 5th year of Antioch International Church's congregation calling the place "home". (Come join us by the way! Details at www.aicchurch.com)

As you read this copy of the email below you can see how the Lord does speak, and moves, in our lives. Be encouraged as He does in yours also, knowingly or unknowingly.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

Founder

Lover For His People ministry

Charlotte, NC USA

ANC - All Nations Church with Mahesh and Bonnie Chavda - now is on the Heritage USA land formerly known as "Fort Hope". The dream I wrote about was actually in reference to the land the ANC church bought on the east side of what is now Ballantyne (Charlotte, NC). It was formerly The Lamb's Chapel, a ministry of Harry & Louise Bizzell, off Providence Road West and Community House Road in SE Charlotte. Now it is apartment buildings and single-family homes.

You can read all about these times in history in my books, "The Promise" and "Prophetic Stories - Signs Along the Way". Both on Amazon in paperback and Kindle. See below.

The rock mentioned above I now have in my Antioch International Church

 "Office Manager" office.

The Barn - Heritage USA circa 1981-1984

The Barn - circa 1985-1987

Buy now on Amazon: The Promise

Throughout our lives, God keeps His hand on our shoulders and nudges us on to more than what we could ever realize. I am excited to share how He did it this with me, and am confident mine will be a story you’ll be able to relate to. 

As I unveil my story, think back to those times when you knew there was some¬thing more but you just couldn’t put your finger on it. You knew deep down that life wasn’t what the TV sitcoms portrayed it to be. In our souls, there is the hope, the cry for more, that someday questions will be answered and promises fulfilled if we just kept plugging away at what we know to do. 

In The Promise, I share my 40-year journey with you and show you that dreams do come true. Though Peter Pan isn’t real, the Lord, the One Who created us, certainly is, and He has a plan in place for each one of us. When you are done reading this story, my prayer is that you too will know more of that good plan and His purpose for you.

Steve Martin

Aug. 2013

Buy here: Prophetic Stories - Signs Along the Way

We are living in the last days, the times prophesied long ago, right before the Lord Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach returns. Even as He spoke to the prophets of old in Israel, continuing through Jesus’ time on earth, and with the early church, the Lord is fulfilling His promise. His Eternal Word that He would pour out His Spirit on all flesh, and we would prophesy. Prophesy comes in many ways – through the spoken word, signs, dreams, visions, tongues. All are used by the Lord to speak to His people, give them guidance along the way, and show His provision for the plans He has for us. 

As we walk along His path chosen for us, He desires to encourage and reveal His plans to us. He most certainly uses His Written Word. He also uses prophetic words. Here are a few that He has given to me. I am continually amazed at how He speaks, how He directs, and the assuring results of His guidance. We need the gifts of the Holy Spirit operating in these times. 

As the Bible says, He desires that all would prophesy, in order to assist believers in knowing His will, and speaking to non-believers that we serve an All-Knowing God, Who shows us the way. The gifts of prophesy, seeing signs and wonders, and experiencing His love through His fascinating methods is for all. I hope you are encouraged in seeking Him as you read these stores of how He moved in my life.

Steve Martin

April 2014

Listen and See If You Agree Jim Bakker Is a Changed Man - STEVE STRANG CHARISMA MAGAZINE

I learned a lot about the changed Jim Bakker when I appeared on his show recently. (Jim Bakker Show)

Listen and See If You Agree Jim Bakker Is a Changed Man

11/13/2015 STEVE STRANG  charisma magazine

Several weeks ago I had the pleasure of being on the Jim Bakker Show. I wrote in theStrang Report how much I felt that Jim Bakker had changed, and it received a strong reaction from my readers.  

During my visit, Jim showed me around his impressive Morningside complex, and I recorded our conversation as we walked and drove around. At the time, I couldn't take notes and I wasn't sure what we would discuss. Interestingly, Jim filmed our little tour because he thought it might be interesting. He later broadcast some of it on his television show.  

I remember at one point in our conversation while we were standing in the hallway of Lori's (Jim's wife) House—a home on the Morningside grounds that provides a place of ministry, love, rest, learning, fellowship and caring with its main goal of saving babies and caring for their mothers—Jim became very contemplative, and I realized I was recording something very special. He was pitching me on writing a story about the "behind-the-scenes" people who have made Christian television what it is.  

He then began talking about his staff at PTL, and one conversation morphed into the next in an interesting stream of consciousness. He also talked about Lori's House, his feelings on abortion, what he believes about the end times, and how he studied the Book of Revelation and Daniel while he was in prison. He also spoke about the purpose of his life.  

Of course, Jim knew I was recording the message, but it wasn't an official interview. I don't think he was trying to impress me—this was genuine. I felt it gave a little insight into his heart and ministry.  

I decided to include it on my podcast for today's Strang Report (Friday, Nov. 13). I've included it here, feeling that those who read the newsletter would enjoy listening to this podcast.

The podcast is also called The Strang Report. I issue two each week. Only rarely are they on the same topic as the print e-newsletter. The listenership of my podcast is growing weekly. If you haven't signed up or downloaded them from iTunes, today is a good day to do it.

When you listen to this informal interview I think you'll agree with me that Jim is a changed man. He is just sharing his heart. See if you don't agree.  

Please leave your comments below and share this with your friends—especially if you are supporter of Jim Bakker and his ministry.

Steve Strang is the founder of Charisma and CEO of Charisma Media. Follow him onTwitter or Facebook.

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 - Life in the Spirit is your Spirit-filled teaching guide. Encounter the Holy Spirit, hear God speak to you, and enjoy timeless teachings on love, mercy and forgiveness.LEARN MORE!

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

Steve Strang - Get the MEV for the Same Price Jim Bakker Offered on His Show - CHARISMA MAGAZINE

My recent appearance on the 'Jim Bakker Show.' (Jim Bakker Show)

Get the MEV for the Same Price Jim Bakker Offered on His Show

4:00PM EDT 10/23/2015 STEVE STRANG  charisma magazine

Appearing on The Jim Bakker Show was a great experience. The episodes where I am interviewed began airing this week and the response to our offer of the Modern English Version of the Bible was so great I want to offer it to my readers now.

Since the release of the MEV last year, I have made many trips to introduce it. But, never was I so warmly received as with Jim Bakker. I think a good connection came through on the program. If you missed the show, click here to see it online.

I've known Jim Bakker since the late 1970s. I was a guest a few times on the old PTL show. In 1984, I traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina to interview Bakker. The result was a 7,000 word article that I found interesting to reread after all these years. This was four years before the big collapse of PTL. Bakker already had become controversial. I asked him the tough questions. But it was no hatchet job. Instead, I came away impressed with his heart and his vision.

In my last Strang Report, I wrote about how I admire the way Jim Bakker has come back. Never has one man lost so much and rebounded as he has. He could have given up. He didn't. At 75, he is working as hard as he did when I interviewed him in 1984.

On the show, he surprised me by telling his audience one of the Scriptures that made him warm up to the MEV was 3 John 2. In the King James Version it reads: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." This is the verse that has given rise to what some call the "Prosperity Gospel."

In the MEV, however, the same verse reads this way: "Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, even as your soul is well." What a difference! It's what the original languages say.  

Bakker acknowledges that the Prosperity Gospel is what got him off track at PTL all those years ago. Now that he's back on track, he wants others to believe that God loves them and wants them to live a good life. But, that's a long way from the belief that God wants you to prosper financially.

Jim knew me as founder of Charisma magazine which continues to be our flagship. But, I believe the most important thing I will ever do is publish God's Word in modern English in this important new translation. Thankfully, many like Bakker are saying how much they like the MEV and are using it—and the sales are showing this. In only one year, the MEV placed in the top 10 Bible translations (and this is with many well-established versions such as the KJV, the NIV and the New Living Translation ahead of it).  

We have many different styles and sizes of the MEV and some of them are on the Bible "best-seller" list—including the large print version in Cherry Brown, which is a very pretty version. This was also popular with the Bakker audience and, in only a few days, they've had to reorder stock.

What does this mean to you? Ordinarily, we work with retailers and distributors rather than making special discounts to those who would buy from us directly. But when I saw the program, I saw the "special deals" that Bakker and his team put together. All were discounted. With their permission, you can buy these Bibles—and other items—for the same price by visiting their website or by calling 417-779-9000.

A description of each product and their prices, along with a link to find them, is listed below.

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MEV Thinline Reference Bibles

Description: Bound in a beautiful soft-touch cover, this product features: gilded edges, presentation page, concordance, words of Jesus in red, maps and cross references system along with a satin ribbon marker to make daily reading easier.

Price: $30

Available colors: Blue and Black

MEV Large Print Bibles

Description: With twelve-point font this product is visually comfortable and allows the user to further appreciate the clarity, accuracy and reverence of the MEV text. This product features: concordance, presentation page, ribbon marker, words of Jesus in red, gilded edges and is smyth-sewn.

Price: $35

Available colors: Cherry Brown and Tan

SpiritLed Woman Bible (MEV)

Description: The SpiritLed Woman Bible was developed for the woman in passionate pursuit of God. This product features: 40 teaching articles from well-respected voices, 65 profiles of biblical women and other heroines of the faith who have inspired others and made an impact for the kingdom of God, 400 daily inspirational thoughts and prayers that affirm you as a woman of God and connect you to the power of the Holy Spirit, cross-references system along with concordance, and eight full-color maps.

Retail Price: $64.99 (discounted 38 percent)

You Pay: $40

Available color: Lavender

MEV/KJV Parallel Bible

Description: These two translations have been set side by side to compare and contrast, making it easy to see the richness, beauty and theological clarity maintained by each.

Retail Price: $39.99 (discounted 38 percent)

You Pay: $25

Format: Hardcover

MEV Fire Bible

Description: The Fire Bible is the premiere study Bible for the Spirit-led believer, and it is now being made available in the Modern English Version (MEV). A reference library in one volume, this study Bible will assist those who want to deepen their understanding of the Spirit and His work throughout the Scriptures and who also desire to actively live out their faith. This product features: 70 plus articles, in-depth study notes for key verses, helpful book introductions, maps, charts, words of Jesus in red, cross references, topical index and a reading plan.

Retail Price: $49.99 (discounted 23 percent)

You Pay: $35

Format: Hardcover

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Not often do I offer something for sale. But I wanted you to have an opportunity to buy at these special prices. Bakker urged his viewers to buy Bibles for Christmas. I urge you to not only buy for yourself but for others as gifts and also for Christmas.

And talk this up with your friends. Leave your comments below and share this on social media to help us get out the word on this important new translation. 

Steve Strang is the founder of Charisma and CEO of Charisma Media. Follow him onTwitter or Facebook.

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 - Life in the Spirit is your Spirit-filled teaching guide. Encounter the Holy Spirit, hear God speak to you, and enjoy timeless teachings on love, mercy and forgiveness.LEARN MORE!

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

Jim Bakker's Powerful Story Embodies God's Redemptive and Merciful Love

Jim Bakker is heartily preaching God's Word at 75. (Twitter )

Jim Bakker's Powerful Story Embodies God's Redemptive and Merciful Love

10/9/2015 STEVE STRANG  charisma magazine

I have known Jim Bakker since the heydays of PTL in the late 1970s. I wrote a Charisma cover story about him in May 1983 after traveling to the relatively new Heritage USA to get a behind-the-scenes look at what was then an increasingly controversial ministry.

Readers might remember that things spun out of control only four years later for PTL and Jim Bakker. This downward spiral came after allegations of financial wrongdoing—mostly "overselling" so-called timeshares—and after his denomination defrocked him when a short-lived extra-marital affair hit the newspapers.

If that wasn't bad enough, PTL eventually went bankrupt and Jim's wife, Tammy Faye, divorced him and married his best friend. Jim went to prison for five years.

In short, Jim Bakker lost everything.

But unlike many high-profile people who become caught up in a public scandal or spend time incarcerated, Jim found humility. His famous book about his ordeal sums up his journey in its three-word title: I Was Wrong. While in prison, the job of the man who had met with U.S. presidents and had run one of the largest non-profit ministries in the nation was to clean toilets. But, he used whatever spare time he had to diligently study the Word. That's what really changed him.

The miracle is that, after all this, Jim Bakker has rebounded. I saw this firsthand when I visited him at his new facilities near Branson, Missouri this week.   

As a Christian journalist, I have covered Jim Bakker for many years. I knew many people from his PTL ministry. I knew Tammy Faye—who has since passed away—and her new husband.  Even so, I could never be counted among his inner circle of friends. However, I did consider him a friend.  

After his release from prison, Jim and I went to dinner once when he visited Orlando. It was my way of reaching out to a broken man. His fortunes were so low that the dinner invitation took him by surprise.

He slowly began to put his life back together. He lived in a one-room apartment at the Pastor Tommy Barnett-founded L.A. Dream Center. I visited the Dream Center in the early days and wrote about it. I remember meeting Bakker there and meeting his lovely new wife, Lori Graham Bakker. We did a story on her life where she admitted to having five abortions and about how God had healed her and used her testimony for good.

Jim has now built a new ministry near Branson called Morningside. It has a hotel and condominiums, campgrounds, a media school, television studios and many other amenities. Everything is done with excellence and Bakker has assembled a top-notch team.

I couldn't help but draw parallels to what Bakker did at PTL. Only this time, everything is paid for. And while everything is nice, no one can call what he's done opulent (a word often used to describe things at PTL).

For me, however, the amazing thing is that Jim Bakker has rebounded. He is now 75 and he works 16-hour days. He seems to have more energy than men half his age. Most people who experience the enormous loss Jim Bakker has experienced would have given up and rotted away somewhere out of sight. Not Jim Bakker. He learned whatever lesson he needed to learn, and believed God that he could dream again.

Historians will spend decades dissecting the life of Jim Bakker. He is a very complex man, yet he's also a great man. Maybe he went too far at PTL. Maybe he wasn't accountable. Obviously, he made some big mistakes. Yet in my opinion he did no more wrong (and a whole lot less) than hundreds of other leaders who either didn't get caught or had only a minor setback. However, Jim Bakker lost everything.

To some, his name still exemplifies the worst in flamboyant Pentecostal preachers. He has been criticized for his focus on end-time prophecy and encouraging people to prepare for hard times by storing food or having backup generators. He's not a perfect man and he's the first to admit it (but then who among us is perfect?).

But he's not a quitter. He has come back after he lost everything except his life. And that should be an encouragement to everyone who reads this or who watches him on TV. That's because all of us will face loss of some sort—even loved ones. Some might face an unhappy marriage or deal with wayward children. Some might lose a job, struggle through a bankruptcy or face serious illness like cancer. 

While your loss might not be as bad as Jim Bakker's, it probably will hurt as much as his loss did him! At your lowest point, take comfort that God can give back your dream and help you rebuild your life as he did with Jim Bakker.

We recorded a couple of television programs while I visited Morningside. The first is scheduled to air Monday, October 19. I hope you will watch.  

At the end of the program, Jim Bakker stood and looked at the camera and said something that's not cliche—it's something he knows from the depth of his soul: "God loves you—He really does!"

Steve Strang is the founder of Charisma and CEO of Charisma Media. Follow him on Twitter or Facebook.

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 - Life in the Spirit is your Spirit-filled teaching guide. Encounter the Holy Spirit, hear God speak to you, and enjoy timeless teachings on love, mercy and forgiveness.LEARN MORE!

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

Feast of Tabernacles Celebration at Antioch Intl. Church - Dr. Peter Wyns

Dr. Peter Wyns - Senior Pastor of Antioch International Church

Founder of Christians For Messiah Ministries

Feast of Tabernacles Celebration 

at Antioch Intl. Church

Fort Mill, SC

On Wednesday evening, Sept. 30, 2015 it was my joy to be part of the Feast of Tabernacles Celebration at Antioch Intl. Church in Fort Mill, SC. Having purchased the former Heritage USA/PTL "Barn" and grounds almost two years ago, what a place to now have their annual feast of the Lord (Sukkot in Hebrew) gathering.

Dr. Peter Wyns and Pastor Jesse Enns hosted the time of music, teaching and FOOD!

My good friend Little Big Eagle, along with his wife Mary and daughter Little Deer, shared their musical talents in bass playing and vocals. Toni Bogart played keys along with the others in the band.

Peter, as I like to call my Messianic Jewish friend, clearly taught from the Lord's Word on the meaning of the Feast of Tabernacles, being even for Christians today. The grandson of Derek Prince, born from Derek and wife Lydia Prince's adopted daughter Magdella (Peter's Jewish mother from Israel), he clearly communicated why Christians join their Jewish brethren in celebrating the Lord's feasts.

Thank you to all who brought delicious food, representing the many cultures and nations of the world. What a feast indeed!

Shalom,

Steve Martin
Love For His People

P.S. Antioch had been Laurie's and my home church for over three years. We are grateful to all our friends there!

Little Big Eagle

Toni Bogart (keyboard & vocal) and Jesse Enns (worship leader - guitar & vocal)

Mary and Little Deer - wife and daughter of Little Big Eagle

Antioch's main worship center. Formerly the Heritage USA "Barn"

The sukkah (booth)

Antioch's & Christians For Messiah Ministries bookstore

Books and CDs by Peter's grandfather Derek Prince

One of Peter's many published books

Jesse Enns - Pastor and worship leader

"Prophetic Stories - Signs Along The Way" - latest inspirational book by Steve Martin

"Prophetic Stories - Signs Along The Way" - now available today - new book by Steve Martin (Amazon & Kindle)

Prophetic Stories: Signs Along The Path Paperback – April 3, 2014
by Steve Martin (Author)
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PRODUCT DETAILS Paperback: 102 pages Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (April 3, 2014) Language: English ISBN-10: 1497498325 ISBN-13: 978-1497498327 Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.2 inches Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

We are living in the last days, the times prophesied long ago, right before the Lord Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, returns. Even as He spoke to the prophets of old in Israel, continuing through Jesus’ time on earth, and with the early church, the Lord is fulfilling His promise. 

His Eternal Word that He would pour out His Spirit on all flesh, and we would prophesy. Prophesy comes in many ways – through the spoken word, signs, dreams, visions, tongues. All are used by the Lord to speak to His people, give them guidance along the way, and show His provision for the plans He has for us. As we walk along His path chosen for us, He desires to encourage and reveal His plans to us. He most certainly uses His Written Word. 

He also uses prophetic words. Here are a few that He has given to me. I am continually amazed at how He speaks, how He directs, and the assuring results of His guidance. We need the gifts of the Holy Spirit operating in these times. 

As the Bible says, He desires that all would prophesy, in order to assist believers in knowing His will, and speaking to non-believers that we serve an All-Knowing God, Who shows us the way. The gifts of prophesy, seeing signs and wonders, and experiencing His love through His fascinating methods is for all. I hope you are encouraged in seeking Him as you read these stores of how He moved in my life. 

Here are some of the chapter titles:

1. Dreams Do Come True

2. Go To Israel

3. The Western Wall

4. The Great wall

5. Heritage USA

6. The Ceiling Will Be Removed

7. That You May All Prophesy

We need to hear the Lord in these end times. You can too, and this booklet will help you in your quest to know Him more, and His ways.

Buy one for yourself and a few more to give to your family and friends. 

Thank you,

Steve Martin

Love For His People

P.S. This is my 7th book. I hope you consider getting the others too, all available on Amazon paperback and Kindle editions, or through our ministry office. Our book sales help to support our humanitarian aid ministry Love For His People, Inc. 

Todah Habah! (Thank you very much in Hebrew.) 

Order here: Amazon - paperback edition $5.58

PRODUCT DETAILS Paperback: 102 pages Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (April 3, 2014) Language: English ISBN-10: 1497498325 ISBN-13: 978-1497498327 Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.2 inches Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Order here: Kindle edition - $1.99

KINDLE EDITION: PRODUCT DETAILS File Size: 482 KB Print Length: 77 pages Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc. Language: English ASIN: B00JG1RQT2 Text-to-Speech: Enabled  X-Ray: Not Enabled  Lending: Enabled Other Books by Steve Martin