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.
Showing posts with label Western Wall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Western Wall. Show all posts
Sunday, November 6, 2022
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
“It Will Come – The Lord’s Provision for Ministry” – Now Think On This by Steve Martin
“It Will Come – The Lord’s Provision for Ministry” – Now Think On This by Steve Martin
“After Athens, Paul went to Corinth. That is where he discovered Aquila, a Jew born in Pontus, and his wife, Priscilla. They had just arrived from Italy, part of the general expulsion of Jews from Rome ordered by Claudius. Paul moved in with them, and they worked together at their common trade of tentmaking.” Acts 18:1-3, THE MESSAGE
Paul made tents. Or as most understood in the Jewish craftsmen trade, tallits. Non-Jews, Gentiles, would know these as prayer shawls. These are the large head coverings used in prayer and sometimes, when needed, as protective clothing against the wind and rain. For those who have had the joy and honor of going to the Western Wall (the Kotel) in the Old City of Jerusalem, it is good seeing the men (and some women) praying in earnest with their tallits covering their heads.
Here in the USA, most synagogues have them available before entrance into the main auditorium for gatherings, should you not have your own with you. As a Gentile, I never do, though I have one at home.
How do I know that the English word used here in Acts 18, “tentmaking” in Hebrew would be “tallit”? Because a Jewish man explained this verse in Acts to me. This good friend, a Messianic Jew who Love For His People ministry assists with monthly provision, also labors in a trade in Israel. Being indebted to the Jews for what they have given Christians also (Bible, Messiah, Prophets), we consider it our privilege and duty to bless his work in the Land of Israel.
As several of you may know, who have read my books or have known of my history, I served with three ministries in the USA for 24 years, as Director, Administrator, and/or Accountant. Usually, it was both the administration and the accounting positions at the same time. Each of these three organizations had a primary interest in Israel and the Jews. One organization’s founders resided five miles west of Jerusalem, with an American office that I ran for 5 years, prior to beginning Love For His People in 2010.
As one very attuned to the vast financial and operational cost of these ministries, I made a commitment that when I started a ministry, our income would come from resources other than the monthly mass appeal letter choice, which is very common with large (and small) ministries. And yet I had a difficult time justifying all the time and expense, needing paid staff and constant volunteers, outside contractors for specific portions of the job, and just the overall expense of scheduled monthly appeals (“opportunity letters” as one called them).
I personally committed to not do that and would trust the Lord with other means of provision.
Being I had left the $70,000 job in 2010, with full benefits, medical, vacation and more, one simply does not cover that income loss by trusting in family and friends to “come forth”, even though a good handful did. I had to get part-time work to pay our personal house mortgage, car payment, and everything in between. With my good wife’s income from her daycare job. The Lord did provide and give some great ways to cut expenses at the same time. It is amazing what you think you need but don’t when you really don’t have that extra to shell out.
But in all of this, and even if it took a while, the Lord has shown me that I too can be as Paul, and be a “tentmaker”, which in turn would bring in provision for the ministry work He has called us to do.
And thus, through my accounting contract jobs, the funds came, and continue to do so. Right into the ministry’s bank account, too. No personal taxes deducted. Nothing.
We are grateful for the ones who have joined alongside us in sharing their financial gifts, seeing the need, knowing the work that is done – provision for those we do support with extra gifts, along with with the outreach through social media, book publication, and teaching opportunities given to advance the Kingdom of God.
I wanted to write this testimony to let you know that there are more than the “usual” ways most ministries operate in having income to fund the mission.
As the Lord has given me the skill in accounting to do it, you too may be wanting to have a ministry outreach, and He will have you use your years of experience, training and skills developed, to also have a service or trade in order to provide for your ministry work.
And yes, Love For His People ministries does accept and receive all gifts, small or large, with thankful hearts! https://loveforhispeople.com/donate/
As one closing thought, here is a word from the Word, that I practice very often, because I believe it, and found He is true to His Word.
“But the generous person devises generous things, and his generosity will keep him standing.” Isaiah 32:8, Complete Jewish Bible
Now think on this.
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin, Founder/President Love For His People, Inc.
SPECIAL NOTE: Our ministry’s new mobile app is available for iPhones and Androids is available. These are free app downloads! Look here: Love For His People free phone app
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COMING July 10-11, 2020
You are welcome to help support the work of this ministry, including the assistance we give to families in Israel: DONATE online now. You can also send checks to: Love For His People P.O. Box 414 Pineville, NC 28134
E-mail: loveforhispeople@gmail.com
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Now Think On This #491 – in the year of our Lord 03.18.2020 – “How It Will Come – The Lord’s Provision for Ministry” Wednesday, 6:30 am in Charlotte, NC USA
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Walk With Me - Steve Martin at the Western Wall in Jerusalem with 200+ names, May 7, 2019
Walk With Me - Steve Martin at the Western Wall in Jerusalem with 200+ names, May 7, 2019
200+ family names received before I left for Israel on May 1, 2019
Published on May 11, 2019
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Walk With Me - Steve Martin at the Western Wall in Jerusalem with 200+ names, May 7, 2019
Walk With Me - Steve Martin at the Western Wall
in Jerusalem with 200+ names
Published on May 11, 2019
Friday, March 29, 2019
Tears - Now Think On This by Steve Martin
Tears
Steve Martin
“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35, NKJV)
Most of us can declare where the shortest verse is found in the Bible. We may even have had the opportunity during one of those times when you lifted your hand in Sunday School (for those who remember, while feeling a bit sorry for us former Catholics who didn’t have that training) and loudly proclaimed, “I know it! John 11:35! Jesus wept!” when asked during the Bible Sword drill. Baptists knew of those childhood times. Others may have too.
There is another verse not so easily recalled, when Jesus had also shed tears in public, actually weeping in fact.
“When Yeshua had come closer and could see the city, he wept over it (emphasis mine), saying, “If you only knew today what is needed for shalom! But for now, it is hidden from your sight. For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will set up a barricade around you, encircle you, hem you in on every side, and dash you to the ground, you and your children within your walls, leaving not one stone standing on another — and all because you did not recognize your opportunity when God offered it!” (Luke 19:41-44, Complete Jewish Bible)
The Scriptures record at least these two instances quoted above when Yeshua HaMashiach, the world’s Messiah, cried. One occurred, as John wrote, at His best friend Lazarus’ grave cave, who had just died and buried within the past three days.
The other time when He approached the city of Jerusalem, within a short period before fulfilling prophecy about His certain forthcoming death. He knew the prophecies He Himself would proclaim (Matthew 24 and others) that this city of God, Yerushalayim, would not only soon be destroyed by the Romans, but even before then this same people within would momentarily proclaim Him as King, and then within days following crucify Him as a liar, rejecting Him as the promised Messiah for which He was, and still is.
There have been a few times when I wept. In public even. Once was in 1988 when I first stood at the Western Wall, the Kotel, (formerly called the Wailing Wall) in Jerusalem, where myriads of Jews had already done so since June 6, 1967, when they recaptured their rightful capital city. I too had put my hands on that natural, earthly wall, and then the supernatural love of the Lord Yeshua overcame me, interceding through me for these I stood among, His chosen people, and all the peoples of the nations He has created.
But being a guy, and an American at that, we typically are not supposed to cry, but rather are expected to uphold the false standard so common among us, to be the macho type and not be expressive in that manner, especially in public. People might think we are weak, fragile, and even have a caring heart about people, someone other than ourselves, our family, and our things. Imagine that.
But this should not be so. Jesus wept. The King of the Universe Himself wept. With real tears at that. It is true.
As I consider and think about these verses of God-in-the-flesh weeping, I ask myself, “Do I care enough about cities, and the people within, to weep over their lives, as they go on rejecting the Living God, the One Who alone can save them? Do I give any effort in prayer and supplication, to intercede on their behalf, as they turn their backs on the Giver of Life, and continue in their wicked ways, blindly doing so?”
Many times, I don’t, as I just focus on my family, my things, my life.
In the coming days and years ahead, as the world around us plunges deeper into destruction, sin, and certain death, will I, will you, give ourselves in intercession, crying out with utter grief as we witness the ongoing national wars (both with guns and mouths), baby killing at birth, drug overdoses following the desire to escape life, and both children and young adults being given over to sexual predators for their horrific, satanic pleasure?
Jesus shed tears over the people of the Golden City. But His grief was not to be for nothing. He knew that He had come down to earth, from His place alongside God the Father in heaven, to fulfill all the promises concerning the promised Messiah. And because He knew that His life here was meant to be lived among us, followed by terrible torture and later hung on a tree to die, in order to fulfill the requirement that innocent blood must be shed for our redemption from sin, He willing did it.
We are thus to “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 12:2-3, THE MESSAGE)
Jesus (Yeshua) shed tears over the lost and hurting people, over the very city that would turn against Him. And yet, because He knew the plans and purposes of His Father, our God, He endured it all for our sake. This should give us the hope, the determination and the desire to also give of ourselves, following in His footsteps, for the sake of others, for those not yet knowing what salvation is, and how to obtain it through Him.
May our hearts be so filled with His love, compassion, and yearning to see the nations come to know Him, that we shed tears, even weep, as we intercede on their behalf too.
Fill our hearts, O Lord Jesus. Your love must become ours.
Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).
Now think on this,
Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc.
If these messages have ministered to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $10-$120 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.
Please donate online safely through our website. Click here: DONATE
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.)
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Now Think On This #403 - in the year of our Lord 03.29.19 – “Tears” – Friday, 5:45 am.
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Walk With Me - Steve Martin. Western Wall - Old City Jerusalem. Early morning prayers.
Walk With Me - Steve Martin.
Western Wall - Old City Jerusalem.
Early morning prayers.
Published on Oct 17, 2018
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