"A Closed Door? Wait for the Open One" - message by Steve Martin

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I was actually surprised at my deep reaction when the finality of it hit me.

My 14 years with an uptown Charlotte company, where I started as a “temp” in 2012, then became full time, and then repeated (4 in fact) returns to cover as they tried finding good help…was over.

When my wonderful wife Laurie and I spent three months as volunteers with Christian Friends of Israel in Jerusalem Oct. 16, 2015 - Jan. 12, 2026, I had told Charlotte Center City Partners that this was it with them. I cleaned my desk and left.

But to my surprise they called me back two weeks after my return home to Charlotte, and said they needed my help. In fact, the new CFO had saved and put back my photos on my former desk walls. Surprised indeed!

But all good things come to an end, so we are told, and the door has finally closed. They seem to have finally found good help.

Coupled with the closing this month of another place I had done accounting with for five years as a contractor, doors certainly have closed.

But as my good friend Mordecai had prophesied to me a month ago in home group, “Doors will be closing. But new ones will be opening.” (I call him the “Open Door” prophet.)

When, not if, you experience your closing of doors, know that our Faithful Lord has your back.

And be faithful where you are at until then. He wants to promote you.

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:31, NASB

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

#ClosedDoor #wait #Opendoor #messagebySteveMartin #faith #Jesus #courage #ChristianFriendsofIsrael #Jerusalem #CCCP #CharlotteCenterCityPartners #Mordecai,\ #faithfulOne #faithfulservant

“Determination” - message by Steve Martin

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Determination

Our walk with the Lord will bring us to events and situations where we are going to have to either stand strong, or we will turn and run. In my life, I have made that decision already. My life is His. I will stand, so help me God.

Yeshua (Jesus) had made that decision too. He was determined to do the Father’s will, and He did it.

We must choose to be as He was, and have the determination to do what is right before that time will certainly come.

“The Master, God, has given me a well-taught tongue, so I know how to encourage tired people. He wakes me up in the morning. Wakes me up, opens my ears to listen as one ready to take orders.

 

The Master, God, opened my ears, and I didn’t go back to sleep, didn’t pull the covers back over my head. I followed orders, stood there and took it while they beat me, held steady while they pulled out my beard.

 

Didn’t dodge their insults, faced them as they spit in my face. And the Master, God, stays right there and helps me, so I’m not disgraced.

 

Therefore I set my face like flint, confident that I’ll never regret this. My champion is right here. Let’s take our stand together! Who dares bring suit against me? Let him try! Look! the Master, God, is right here.

 

Who would dare call me guilty? Look! My accusers are a clothes bin of threadbare socks and shirts, fodder for moths!” Isaiah 50:7-9, The Message

 

When I was the office manager of a Canon copier dealer in Lansing, Michigan, between 1980-1987, I was asked to do an invoice for the company, billing a location that I had heard did abortions. I refused to do so. I wanted no part in it.

 

I would have been around 26, and we had three young kids at the time. I couldn’t afford to lose my job, but my Lord told me I was not to do that invoice. I told the owner as such.

 

He then made his wife, the co-owner, do the invoice. (In later years they asked me to become Vice President of the company, but even then the Lord had called me on to other work for Him, and that meant a move to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to work for Derek Prince Ministries.)

 

Are we going to stand as Christians, when faced with decisions that will go against the actions and beliefs of those around us?

 

Now is the time to make that determination. Not when the time to stand faces us head on. We will need to have made that decision already.

 

Christians, and Jews, are among the most persecuted in the world. Times have not changed since Jesus’ time. We know the Bible says the same days are coming for us.

 

Decide now what you are going to do when called upon to choose.

 

Ahava and shalom,

 

Steve Martin

 

Message #21, April 14, 2026

#determination #SteveMartin #Jesus #courage #faith #Master #DerekPrince #Christians #Jews #Bible #persecution

"Abraham Lincoln and the Holy Land" - message by Steve Martin

 

Abraham Lincoln and the Holy Land

 

“For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have long been dead.”  Psalm 143:3, NASB

Well, that’s not a Bible verse anyone will put on their refrigerator!

And yet we go through those seasons when we feel exactly that – crushed, forsaken, “Where are You, Lord” times in our lives. So, then what?

Abraham Lincoln, our beloved 16^th American president, was known to have had “melancholy”—or simply depression. We can certainly understand why, amid the Civil War, his young son’s death, and his wife Martha’s health issues.

I have several books on my bookcase and have read most of them. They are not just for show.

Though he was not known as a churchgoer, he did call upon the Name of the Lord Jesus for guidance, courage, and fortitude to stand for righteousness in many political and life situations. Battered, hated, and later assassinated, he did seek the Lord in his times of depression and melancholy.

On his deathbed, it has been written that Lincoln spoke these words to his wife, Martha, as she drew near with her ear.

“A strong case can be made, based on the “Personal Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln” (kept at the Illinois State Historical Library), a manuscript Noyes W. Miner, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Springfield, Illinois, who wrote of his conversations with Mary Todd Lincoln in 1882, and several other references, that these were Abraham Lincoln’s last words:

“We will visit the Holy Land and see those places hallowed by the footsteps of the Savior. There is no city on earth I so much desire to see as Jerusalem.”

 

These are the words that follow in the manuscript: "and with that word half spoken on his tongue, the bullet from the pistol of the assassin’s entered his brain, and the soul of the great and good President was carried by the Angels to the New Jerusalem & above.” (see here: Abraham Lincoln's Last Words)

There are at least ten fascinating facts about Lincoln and the Jews. Look here for more: Lincoln and the Jews. But that is for another day, another message.

We can all admire President Abraham Lincoln for the life he led and the courage he displayed, even as he fought spiritual and natural battles most of his life. And while I am on the subject, we can also give thanks to the Lord for the great President Donald J. Trump, who is to our country, and his ongoing support for Israel and our Jewish friends in their Land.

Lord, give us courage to also stand against the enemies that seek to destroy them, our friends, the Jews in Israel.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin, Love For His People in Charlotte, North Carolina

Message #8, 2026, “Abraham Lincoln and the Holy Land”, Feb. 26, 2026, 11:30 am

Steve Martin's bookcase - Abraham Lincoln set

#AbrahamLincoln #HolyLand #message #SteveMartin #melancholy #depression #courage #Jerusalem #Israel, #Jesus

"Pressing In" by Steve Martin

 

Pressing In

“Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, all who are mature, let’s have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that to you as well;” Philippians 3:13-15, NASB

 

In 2020, I published my 30th book, entitled Press On!, and wrote the following introduction,

I have written several messages that made their way into my books on the subjects of pressing on, being faithful, being strong in the Lord, and fighting the good fight.

These are the days when it will take more than giving verbal acknowledgment and just words from our mouths in our service to the King Jesus.

It will take blood, sweat, tears, heartache, and determination to press on even if others have stopped and built a home along the road, believing they are finished.

Those of us who have been called, anointed, and commissioned for the King’s service have one thing going for us – we are not alone.

The Holy Spirit, Ruach HaKodesh, has been promised by the Son Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, to always be with us. He is our Comforter, our Director, the One Who will lead us on. He is with us along this entire journey of faith.

This book is meant to encourage you to continue seeking the Living God, the One Who left Jerusalem, Israel, and is soon to return to Jerusalem, Israel.

Be encouraged in your walk. Keep seeking the Lord above.

Let Him direct your steps always, as you hear and obey. We both will be happy we did.

 

So, press on, for eternity!

 

It is even more true today. As I receive prayer concerns from others, from family, friends, and friends-to-be, the need to maintain courage, faith, and pressing on into the plans and purposes of our Lord is ever increasing, as the day draws near. For His soon return.

 

Pressing on should be our norm by now. Facing each day is not meant to go it alone. Our Lord has given us His Holy Spirit, Ruach HaKodesh, to go with us, lead us, and embolden us for His eternal glory.

 

Today is another day to show His Hand strong on our behalf. Have courage and keep pressing in.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

Message #6, 2026, “Pressing In” Feb. 20, 2026, 7:00 am

For a complete catalog of my 40 books click on.

#pressing in #SteveMartin #presson #courage #Jesu #HolySpirit #RuachHaKodesh #Jerusalem #faith

"You Are Not Abnormal" - Message by Steve Martin, Love For His People Ministry

 

 

You Are Not Abnormal

“But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.”1 Peter 2:9-10 The Message

There are times when we think we are the only ones experiencing a trial, a bad moment, a situation that no one else has had or has gone through before. 

You are not abnormal. We are often in spiritual warfare. Where do you think Satan and his demons always attack first? The marriage. The family. The mission. The Lord’s chosen ones, in Israel and throughout the nations.

The Word tells us, prophetically, that in these last days we will experience trials, tribulations, roadblocks, temptations, and ongoing attempts by our enemy to curtail us from completing the mission set before us. Our enemy is not brilliant, but he is not dumb either. He has had enough experience to know what will keep us from pressing on, if we fall to his schemes.

A well-known prophetic man once said, “There are the three things that will be set before you in temptations. Gold, glory, or girls.” He was right.

(Or as Scripture puts it, in 1 John 2:16, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world."

It is supernaturally natural for those who are seeking to hear and obey the call of the Lord Jesus (Yeshua), as He leads us through His Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh), to be opposed by the one who hates God the Father and all those who are His children, Jew and Gentile. And if he can’t get you in one area, he will use another. Or those close to you, who may be more vulnerable.

Is it no surprise then that we, Laurie and I, have been warned by those abiding in Israel and others who have gone before, to be “prayed up” with intercessors covering our backs, as we go forward into His call and purpose for Israel.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against ^[f]flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.  Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints,” Ephesians 6:10-18, NASB

As you too face opposition in your own daily walk, call upon the Name of the Lord, and as I often say, and you can too, “My times are in Your hands.” Lead us and protect us, Lord.

We can thus press forward and complete the assignments He has given to each of us with faith and courage.

Ahava (love) and Shalom (peace),

Steve Martin

P.S. In less than three weeks Laurie and I head to Jerusalem, Israel for three months. Read all about it: Steve & Laurie - Time Coming for Jerusalem Volunteers. 

We welcome your prayers and support as we together bless Israel and His people in their Land.

Contributions are welcome online by clicking here on our webpage, when you look for the little DONATE button on each side column, on the Love For His People website. DONATE HERE.

Love For His People Ministry     P.O. Box 1113     Pineville, North Carolina 28134  USA

Message #17 in my series (2025): “You Are Not Abnormal" – Sept. 22, 2025

#YouAreNotAbnormal #MessagebySteveMartin #LoveForHisPeopleMinistry #Jesus #Yahweh #Yeshua #chosenbyGod #HolySpirit #RuachHaKodesh #spiritualwarfare #courage #helmetofsalvation #faith

 

Do Not Be Silent - Morris Ruddick

Posted on May 25, 2025

Do Not Be Silent

Despite Elijah fearing for his life at the cave … God instructed him to resume his assignment.

God’s command? GO!

It followed one of the boldest and most dramatic exploits of judgment performed at the hand of one of God’s servants.

Calling down the fire was only the prelude. Closely following was the execution and elimination of the wicked priests, whose vile practices were at the core of the spiritual seduction of Israel. Yet, despite the intense drama, the spiritual shift released was not complete.

This resumption of Elijah’s assignment is what needs to be seen when discerning the process/ the response to Israel’s October 7th Massacre and the Global Intifada that have erupted since that time. Despite the accomplishments in conducting a war on seven fronts, the shift is not yet complete.

There is more, proactively more being required as Jew and Gentile are mobilized on a grand-scale.

For all his protests in the cave, the Lord ignored Elijah’s desire for a safe place and sent him back ….. to put in place the follow-up to the removal of the prophets of Baal and Asherah after calling down the fire.

That command involved setting things up for the next generation. It began with: “And the LORD said to him, ‘Go, return to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. And Jehu you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha you shall anoint to be prophet in your place.’” 1 Kings 19:15-16

Indeed, something viral is being released from the heart of God advancing the judgment that will transcend the generations. So Elijah went. He fulfilled that task … and went on to grapple with more immediate power skirmishes and judgments contained within his own time-line.

Strategically, that command from the cave contained the judgment that would decimate the deep roots of embedded, wicked leadership. It included Ahab falling at Ramoth-Gilead and Elisha serving as the final agent in the chain of those destroying the House of Ahab and worshippers of Baal.
”The one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death.” 1 Kings 19:17

The Eruption of Entrenched Entanglements
So, these entrenched trans-generational entanglements were targeted in the Lord’s command to Elijah at the cave. So will be the impact of words imparted by Daniel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Jesus and John the Revelator regarding the eruption of deep-rooted entanglements bearing on what manifested on October 7 and the more recent heartless murder of the two Israeli embassy staffers.

There is a distinct demarcation between God’s sacrifice in His love to woo the world and the separation of the sheep and the goat nations to judge the ingrained wickedness erupting globally. 

From the sharp command to Elijah at the cave to the sequel of backlash being experienced by Paul, came another command, pertinent to the response we now face with the seeming amassing eruptions of wickedness and clamor.
“Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent, for I am with you and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.” Acts 18:10-11

The Response: Do Not Be Silent
Do not be silent …. for I have many people in this city. Do not be silent …. for many people will be awakened. Many will be mobilized.

Trans-generational judgment begins with the simplicity of obedience. Do not be silent. Wickedness must be called out for what it is. God’s judgments begin with a track record of cooperative efforts with His people.

That means embracing the standard of our identity in Him. Many years ago, my wife and I were in Minsk, Belarus for one of our workshops. The timing coincided with the sixtieth anniversary of the 1943 German slaughter of 4000 Jews from the Minsk ghetto.

In remembrance of this travesty, we were privileged ….. wearing yellow arm-bands as had the members of the ghetto …. as we marched across the city with the Jewish community.

As believers, we’ve reached a time …. a time of not being silent ….. a time of identifying with the Jewish community and Israel. Embracing the common ground of our spiritual heritage. Taking a stand against the wicked, perverse voices erupting in our cities. The wicked voices calling black white and white black. Voices of perversion proclaiming peace, peace …. despite the reality of the underlying death and destruction being promulgated.

Raising righteous voices to awaken the many people the Lord has in these places.

The Embedded Death-Cult
The setting today is not unlike the assignment the Lord entrusted to Elijah targeting the death-culture nurtured by Ahab and Jezebel …. and the Minsk ghetto slaughter …. and the death-cult that has been given voice globally in this hour …. penetrating seats of power. Isaiah took a stand and would not be silent, using his authority to strip back the voice of the death-cult penetrating the leadership seats-of-power in his day.
“Therefore hear the word of the LORD, you scoffers, who rule this people in Jerusalem! Because you have said, ‘We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have an agreement, when the overwhelming whip passes through it will not come to us, for we have made lies our refuge, and in falsehood we have taken shelter.’” Isaiah 28:14-15

The Accounting
The back-story during the days of Elijah is about those whose blood had been shed because of their stand for the Lord. The Lord has always had an accounting for the manifestation that the death-cults have had on His people. It is no different today with the Messianic Jewish couple martyred for their identity in Washington on May 21st.

When conditions align with God’s people taking their identity-stand …. not being silent …. then as one, they can with authority resonate the cry of the Psalmist:
“Oh God, do not be silent and do not be still. For Your enemies make an uproar and those who hate You exalt themselves. They make shrewd plans against Your people. They conspire together against Your treasured ones. They say, ‘Come, let us wipe them out so that the name of Israel be remembered no more.’ They conspire together with one mind. Against You they make a covenant. O my God, make them like the whirling dust. Like the fire in the forest, so pursue them with Your tempest and terrify them with Your storm. Fill their faces with dishonor that they may know that You alone, whose name is the Lord, are the most High over all the earth.” Psalm 83:1-5, 13-18

The Courage Needed for Times of Change
Understanding the times, to know what to do. That’s the focus of SIGN. Prophetic forerunners with the courage to take a stand and push back from what overwhelms …. to pause sufficiently to catch the glimmers and in simplicity and obedience, do their part.
“For judgment I have come into the world, that those who do not see may see and those who see may be made blind. He who does not receive my words has that which judges him, the word that I have spoken will judge him.” John 9:39, 12:48

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Morris Ruddick has been a forerunner of the Joseph-calling and God’s economy message, being an international voice for the higher dimensions of spiritual game-changers and intercessors since the mid-90s. As founder of Global Initiatives Foundation, the Strategic Intercession Global Network [SIGN] and designer of the God’s Economy Entrepreneurial Equippers Program and the Jewish Business Secrets YouTube series, Mr. Ruddick’s messages equip leaders and economic community builders with strategy where God’s light is dim in diverse regions around the globe.

He is author of “The Joseph-Daniel Calling;” “Gods Economy, Israel and the Nations;” “The Heart of a King;” “Something More;” “Righteous Power in a Corrupt World;” “Leadership by Anointing;” and “Mantle of Fire,” which address the mobilization of business and governmental leaders with destinies to impact their communities. They are available in print and e-versions from www.Amazon.com, www.apple.com/ibooks and www.BarnesandNoble.com.

Global Initiatives Foundation (www.strategic-initiatives.org) is a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 non-profit whose efforts mobilize economic community builders imparting influence and the blessings of God. Checks on US banks should be made out to Global Initiatives and mailed to 3838 South Wabash Street, Denver CO 80237 or by credit card at https://strategic-initiatives.org/donate/

2025 Copyright Morris Ruddick — info@strategic-initiatives.org

Since early 1996, the Strategic Intercession Global Network (SIGN) has mobilized prophetic intercessors and leaders committed to targeting strategic-level issues impacting the Body on a global basis. For more information go to https://strategic-initiatives.org