Believe It Or Not - Steve Martin

 

Believe It Or Not

"Then this word of Adonai came to him: “Get up; go to Tzarfat, a village in Tzidon; and live there. I have ordered a widow there to provide for you.” 1 Kings 17:8-10, Complete Jewish Bible

We all know the verse, “Give and it shall be given to you.” Not enough most likely believe it though. I purposely didn’t share that verse at the top of this message for it may have become one of those, “Yeah, I have heard that plenty of times. Usually right before the offering. What else have you got?”

The verse I did share from 1 Kings tells of Elijah the Prophet going out as the Lord had instructed, then speaking to the widow as he asked for food. As you also know the story, she gave what she had, knowing that her son and herself were running out of provision themselves. It is a good, factual, story to learn from in our walk with the same God.

If one believes something, he, or she (not “it”, or any other pronoun) they do it. And the more often they do, the more it becomes a way of life.

We are given many examples in the Lord’s Word of giving something in faith and then seeing the Lord give it back, over and abundantly beyond what the giver thought possible.

We have many examples of His faithfulness and honesty. The widow and her bread and oil. Yeshua (Jesus) and the fish and loaves from the young boy, before feeding the multitude who had followed Him. And then of course His first miracle, taking the jars of water at the Cana wedding and turning them into the best wine. Each one had to first give something for His to use. He then multiplied it in return, benefiting many, including themselves.

Stories only? Or are these all factual moments for us to read, hear, and believe that the Lord is “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

Most Americans don’t really believe that verse from Hebrews because we can always go around the corner to the grocery or big-box store, or order on Amazon and get whatever we want the next day, or even within hours now. For many there is no need to trust the Lord for provision.

And with our checking account usually having some money in it, why trust the Lord for anything such as these stories tell us?

I tend to think we are about to learn many lessons in these days requiring us to trust more, in faith.

How can we walk in the ways of the Lord if we don’t practice walking in the ways of the Lord?

I recently told a young man this very thing. If we say we know the Lord, and do things our way, do we really know the Lord? If we don’t do things His way, then how can we say we are believers? How can we say we know Him? How can we say we do what He says to do in His Word, when we don’t even know what His Word says or take the needed time to ask Him daily what He wants to say to us, to hear and obey?

Are we living His life or our own? For Him or for ourselves?

I personally would doubt what you tell me if your life shows me you actually believe something else. True?

Givers give. And the Lord says, once again, “Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back — given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity." Luke 6:38, THE MESSAGE

I encourage you to practice, yes practice, what you preach. Does your walk keep up with your mouth? I hope so!

And no, this is not a request for contributions! It is a desire to see more believers believe what the Lord asks us to believe.

Believe it or not.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

Confidence by Steve Martin, Love For His People Ministry

 

Confidence

 

“He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist…” Acts 17:26-28, NASU

 

Our times are in His hands. Or as it is written, “Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling.” Psalm 66:9, New Living Translation

When you believe that Word, that indeed our times are in His hands, and He does keep us from fumbling and stumbling around, you will do awesome deeds for the Lord and His people. You will have built confidence in His Name, and in His actions in your life. You trust that what He says He is going to do, He will do it. Enough said.

When Laurie and I were part of a small group in LaSalle/Peru, Illinois back in the day (1976-1980 to be exact) called Victory Church, and then the name was changed for identifiable purposes to Victory Community, we had to trust the Lord when we were placed in one of the common purse community homes, with four other couples. And we were newlyweds! O Lord!

When He called us to leave the town of her birth, childhood, and teen years included, with her parents and two sister families being left behind, we ventured out, with our two young sons Josh and Ben. We relocated to East Lansing, Michigan in 1980, along with several other church families, to become part of Shiloh Fellowship (later changed to New Covenant Christian Church in the early 1980s). We were wanting to be a part of the Shepherding Movement happening in that decade.

We had to have confidence in Him.

Then when He set another divine appointment time for seven years in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which we honestly called, “Our time in hell” due to not only the heat but the spiritual battles we fought, our trust level in Him had to be raised higher. Again, we needed to know He still loved us, had called us there and hoped He would soon deliver us back to the rest of the USA. On staff at both Derek Prince Ministries and Mahesh Chavda Ministries for those seven years was a challenge, but with His grace, we were overcomers in that appointed time also.

In 1994 both ministries, not necessarily in conjunction with each other, moved families, staff, and offices to the beautiful land of North Carolina. Charlotte to be exact. Cutting 13 hours from the length of time it now took to travel back home to Iowa and Illinois once or twice a year was truly a blessing. The Lord does have mercy, especially when the four kids, now having added Hannah and Christen to the tribe, had to sit on suitcases in the back seat of the four-door Ford while enduring those Chevy Chase “National Lampoon Vacation” adventures on the interstates. In our case, it was Martin’s Traveling Show.

I think you are getting the point. As we daily put our lives in His hands, we learn to trust Him increasingly, believe more firmly that He has our utmost at heart, knows what He is doing, and will complete that which He started in us.

We often quote the verse about Him knowing His plans for us, and sometimes it can just get too “familiar” and we dismiss it. But think about it a bit longer.

The One Who dispersed the Jews out of Israel in the 70s A.D. is bringing them back home in our day, just as He promised. Given that mighty, daily, awesome miracle taking place right before our eyes, we can have complete confidence that again, what He says He will do, He will do.

“For I know what plans I have in mind for you,’ says Adonai, ‘plans for well-being, not for bad things; so that you can have hope and a future. When you call to me and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you seek me, you will find me, provided you seek for me wholeheartedly; and I will let you find me,’ says Adonai. ‘Then I will reverse your exile. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have driven you,’ says Adonai, ‘and bring you back to the place from which I exiled you.’ Jeremiah 29:11-14, Complete Jewish Bible

We serve an awesome God. (Sing it, Rich Mullins! Our God is an Awesome God)

If we continually walk in faith, we can have the assurance that our God, our Father, knows best. I want to encourage you to not let up, not to give in, press on in faith, hope, and love, and know that the confidence He gives you will carry you through.

You will do mighty deeds. You will accomplish mighty acts. You will be as the Lord God of Israel created you to be and do!

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin, Love For His People founder

At the Appointed Time - Steve Martin, Love For His People Ministry

 At the Appointed Time

“Is anything too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Genesis 18:14, NASB

 

Always wanting to read a good book, I looked over the hundreds in my home library bookcases for one I hadn’t as yet read. But then my eye was drawn to the hardback “Appointment in Jerusalem” by Derek and Lydia Prince (Whitaker House 2005).

Having had the honor of serving with Derek Prince Ministries in the late 1980s and again 2000-2005, for a total of eight years, I had all of Derek’s books, and indeed had read each up through that time. Whenever one of his new books was published, and there were many, each staff member was given a free copy. Some autographed.

I consider Derek one of the greatest Bible teachers I have ever known. With sound, biblical, foundational teaching, some topics which few wrote on, then and now, Derek’s simple but clear understanding was shared in word and script with thousands over his years. I highly recommend his teachings for any who seek sound truth. And being he only used his Bible and Strong’s Concordance in his study, there is no mix of worldly speculation and hearsay.

Even though I had read the 1975 first edition of “Appointment in Jerusalem” a few decades ago (you can buy the book here from Derek Prince Ministries), I wanted to read it again. Given our ministry of Love For His People’s commitment to Israel and the Jews, and the ongoing passion we have as Christians in support of them, it seemed good to do so once again.

As wonderfully described in the publication, Derek’s first wife Lydia struggled at first, but finally made the commitment to go to Jerusalem, leaving her family, job, and home in Denmark to do so. Being led in much the same as she found out later as doing what the Lord had called Abraham to do – go and do without knowing where, how, or what all would come of it – she obeyed with little in her pocket and many uncertainties the first year.

This autobiography is a great encouragement for those willing to hear and obey the Lord’s call.

As I read through the chapters, I again recalled how the Lord had led our family, from Illinois, to Michigan, to Florida, and then finally to North Carolina. It has been a journey we had not planned or anticipated but can truly proclaim it has been led by the Spirit of God. Seeing the Lord provide in unexpected ways, joining us with many others along the way, we too have seen the hand of God.

There was one specific example of trusting the Lord in Lydia’s story regarding her first adopted daughter Tikvah. Particularly when she saw the life of Abraham revealed and played out in her own life as she too was called to “give up” in order to then receive back bountifully. At the appointed time, God’s appointed time, it happened. Her faith and trust grew greatly as a result.

Each of us will experience times along the road we walk where we will be challenged in our faith to trust the Lord. For all, it is that first step of accepting forgiveness from Him for our sin, and then committing to Him our life to lead as He knows is best.

And as each year goes by, even after decades of walking with the Lord, He will present a challenge before us to choose in faith to decide His will or go with our own decision. And even as Abraham, Lydia, and so many more who have gone before us, we too must decide to seek Him for the right choice of the many we will have presented before us.

At the appointed time, as we stay true in our faith, we will see the hand of the Lord bring the provision, the protection, the direction He has for our life, our families, and our nations. He will never be late. Sometimes we will be right at the cliff, but when we jump, He provides the wings.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin, Love For His People founder

Faith as a Mustard Seed - Ahava Moments With You, Steve Martin and David Peterman

 

Time and Assurance – Steve Martin, Love For His People ministry

Jan. 10, 2020 Charlotte, NC

Time and Assurance – Steve Martin

“For everything there is a season, a right time for every intention under heaven…” Ecclesiastes 3:1

The older you get the faster time seems to pass. As a young kid it was just the opposite as the clock clicked too slow past the hour every day. Remember the years when your birthday took forever to get here? Now they come too fast.

Solomon in all his wisdom understood time, and the seasons it brings. As earthly creatures not as yet fully experiencing eternity (though for each of us it started at our conception) how time passes can be fast or slow depending upon how we are looking at the times we are living in.

As Solomon wrote, inspired by the Holy Spirit, “For everything there is a season, a right time for every intention under heaven —  a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to discard, a time to tear and a time to sew, a time to keep silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Complete Jewish Bible

Knowing our times are in His hands (Psalm 66:9), we can be assured that the time we were born was of His doing, and it was the perfect time for us. Some would question that as they have faced difficulties and trials in this life, but ultimately, we will understand. That period of our timeline was set by Him, and will not be changed.

And we can be assured that our appointed time to die will happen when He has decided it is time. Nothing can take us before our time. No Covid. No enemy. No devil from hell.

Believing it or not, the Word of God again says, “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.” Eccl 3:1, NASU

When events arise that would try to bring doubt, unbelief, discouragement, and fear (and they do come for each of us), our bedrock faith in His Word, trusting in His wisdom and timing, will see us through even the most difficult of challenges.

When a loved one passes on, we must trust in His timing.

When an appointment comes unfulfilled, we must trust in His timing.

When a prophetic word seems to never come to pass, we must trust in His timing.

Above all, we must trust in His timing, which is, in reality, trusting in Him, the Lord Jesus Christ.

It amazes me how so often an expectation I longed for and was certain of did not come to pass in the time slot I had planned. What happened, Lord? But then when enough time had gone by, sometimes taking years to come about, and I looked back and then saw His hand in it, I agreed with His wisdom and purpose in “the wait.” Often, He kept us from that which we would rather not have wanted to experience, but at the right time did give us that which was best for us and those others who were affected in His plan and purpose.

Be assured that His timing for you is always best. It is a true statement – Our Father knows best.

Rest assured that as we long for Him and His will, the timing of all things will make sense, give us understanding, and enable us to always say, “Our God is faithful and true.”

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.” Revelation 19:11-12, NASU

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin, Love For His People founder

SPECIAL NOTE: Our ministry’s mobile app is available for iPhones and Androids. This is a free app download. Look here: Love For His People free phone app

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Love For His People P.O. Box 414 Pineville, NC 28134

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Message #60 – in the year of our Lord 01.10.2022 – “Time and Again”” – Monday, 3:30 pm in Charlotte, NC USA

“You Don’t Need ME If You Have Everything Else” – Now Think On This by Steve Martin

March 8, 2020

‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.” Luke 12:19, NASU

What do you mean, “You don’t need ME if you have everything else? Don’t you mean the opposite?

Yesterday in our annual Love For His People ministry board meeting, here in the Charlotte, North Carolina, USA area, where 18 of us gathered together in our home for prayer, rejoicing, and expressing our love for the Lord and each other; where prophetic words flowed, speaking in tongues filled the room, songs of joy were proclaimed to our Lord Jesus Christ, along with testimonies of His goodness shared, I spoke this word, somewhat paraphrased here.

“I want to be at the edge of the cliff, having to go forward over it, knowing only that when I jump in faith in obedience to the Lord, that He will be there to catch me. To me, that is the safest place I could be, rather than to have a full 401(K) to retire on, a big bank account for whatever pleasure I wanted, the perfect home to inhabit in comfort and ease, the latest American (or Hyundai!) car to drive. For then I would know it was Him Who was doing the supernatural leading, providing the full provision at the very time I needed it, and directing the step-by-step direction, then relying on what I had built, accomplished, or would put my trust in.”

And then this morning after I had risen and sat down in my prayer chair, His Holy Spirit spoke this, “You don’t need Me if you have everything else.”

I knew He wasn’t talking about me personally, but He was speaking of those who think they have everything and thus believe they have no need to trust, rely on, have faith in the Living God of Israel, the One Who alone can give us that which we truly need. While the world around us chooses to walk in fear and listen to the enemy of our soul, those who know the ways of the Lord, He Who is seated on high, ruling from above it all, we can rest in His peace and provision in the midst of the chaos, unduly concern and responsive acts of fear.

Read a more fuller account of the one who considers himself rich, apart from God.

“And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive.  “And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’  “Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  ‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”‘ 

“But God said to him, ‘ You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’  “So is the man who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:16-21, NASU

When it comes to faith, faith is what you need. Simple faith. IF you have everything else, you won’t look to the Lord, but you will rather choose to walk on your own, trusting in your “filled barn” which you have built.

But if you have come to realize that all you have is what He has given, and what you need is what He can supply when you need it, then you can rest in His shalom (peace) and ahava (love).

You can choose to walk off the cliff in faith, knowing He will catch you. It is not “blind faith”. It is having the faith that He has done it before, and that He will do it again. He is Faithful.

I have tried both. I would much rather choose Him and walk in His faith that He gives us.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21, NASU

Choose faith. Not in your own ability. Not in your own wealth. But in the Lord, for He knows what we need, when we need it, and is there to reward us for our faith in Him.

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

Please sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter: Now Think On This. The sign-up form is on our new ministry website: https://loveforhispeople.com

COMING July 10-11, 2020

LOOK HERE: Aliyah event in Charlotte, North Carolina region

You are welcome to help support the work of this ministry, including the assistance we give to families in Israel: DONATE online now.

Send checks to: Love For His People ministry P.O. Box 414 Pineville, NC 28134

E-mail: loveforhispeople@gmail.com

Please share Now Think On This with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and LinkedIn.  Others will be thankful you did. And I thank you too.

Now Think On This #487 – in the year of our Lord 03.08.2020 – You Don’t Need ME If You Have Everything” Sunday, 6:00 am in Charlotte, NC USA

Now Think On This 

“On His Terms” – Now Think On This by Steve Martin

 November 17, 2019  Steve Martin 

“Yes, he (Jacob) wrestled with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought His favor. He found Him at Bethel and there He spoke with us, even the Lord, the God of hosts, the Lord is His name.” Hosea 12:4-5, NASU

Rather than ask if you have ever wrestled with God yourself, the proper question would be, “How many times have you wrestled with God?”

We all have if we are honest with ourselves. The Lord speaks something to us, and rather than just say, “Yes, Lord” like Mary did when the angel came to her with the news of Yeshua’s (Jesus’) coming birth, we act as if He isn’t speaking to us, or He probably is asking the wrong person to do it.

“Let Thomas do it” may be what comes to our mind. Or, “I think Suzie should be the one, not me. After all, look at what she has already done.”

We often choose to dismiss or even ignore, when the Holy Spirit prompts us with a word, giving us an assignment or asking us to perform a task that might take us out of our comfort zone. And then, where is our faith?

It is often thought that if we allow the Lord to speak to us, however He wants – through His Word, another person, or circumstances, as He did with Jonah, Jacob, or any number of examples that have been given to us in the Bible – He might ask us to go to Africa, or speak a word to our neighbor, who we really don’t care for any (if we even know our neighbor these days.)

My response regarding the “Africa” word was always, “Sure. Send me.” I have always wanted to go since I was a 10-year-old. But that is not the general case with people. (And in time I will!)

When it comes to who is Lord, do we decide when and where He has rule in our life? Do we tell Him, “Yes I will” for this but “No I won’t” for that? On whose terms do we make the decisions we do, when He directs our steps?

Jesus knows us. He knows before we respond how we will respond, but He keeps giving us opportunities to make the right response. Or at least He will for a while before He leaves us to do as we want, and reap the consequences of the choice we made.

He told the parable about the two sons, after each hearing a command of their father, as follows in Matthew 21:28-32.

“Tell me what you think of this story: A man had two sons. He went up to the first and said, ‘Son, go out for the day and work in the vineyard.’ “The son answered, ‘I don’t want to.’ Later on he thought better of it and went.

“The father gave the same command to the second son. He answered, ‘Sure, glad to.’ But he never went. “Which of the two sons did what the father asked?”

They said, “The first.”

Jesus said, “Yes, and I tell you that crooks and whores are going to precede you into God’s kingdom. John came to you showing you the right road. You turned up your noses at him, but the crooks and whores believed him. Even when you saw their changed lives, you didn’t care enough to change and believe him.” THE MESSAGE version

Wow! Notice who Jesus said would precede ones into God’s kingdom? The crooks and the whores. They believed, and thus did what He asked. What does that say about us when we hear and turn a deaf ear to what the Lord is speaking to us?

And then on whose terms will we carry out His desires? Do we put parameters around it, just enough to make it palatable, and easy to do?

Our walk with the Lord will take us off the convenient path, the easy way out, the comfortable couch that we love to sit on. Faith is an act of obedience.

Decide to choose to walk in faith next time the Lord gives you the privilege of hearing His voice, His Word, by choosing to give it to you. The more you respond in a positive, obedient manner, the more you will see the perfect will He has for your life being carried out.

It is up to you.

And if you have said no in the past, there is room for repentance. Ask for His forgiveness, and He will once again show you the way you are to go.

Now think on this and see what good things the Lord has in store for you and those around you.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

Founder/President, Love For His People, Inc.

SPECIAL NOTE: Our ministry’s new mobile app is available for Android smartphones, on Google Play store, or click here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.itsapp2you.lfhp

The iPhone mobile app is also a free download on the Apple Store. Look now.

Please sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter: Now Think On This. The sign-up form is on our new ministry website: https://loveforhispeople.com

You are welcome to help support the families in Israel that we do. Give now. Givelify.

Love For His People ministry

P.O. Box 414

Pineville, NC 28134

loveforhispeople@gmail.com

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Now Think On This #469 – in the year of our Lord 11.17.19 – “On His Terms” Sunday, 7:00 am