Persistently Consistent - Steve Martin

 

Zoe

Persistently Consistent - Steve Martin

“Four things on the earth are small; nevertheless, they are very wise — the ants, a species not strong, yet they store up their food in the summer…” (Proverbs 30:24-25, Complete Jewish Bible)

We all have heard stories of the ants, of how they work and work and work. I can certainly attest to that. Living here in the South (southeastern part of the USA) over these past 30 years has presented many encounters with the red fire ants. These are the ones that when they bite you, you know it because it hurts. Then a short time later, small, red blisters cover your ankles or elsewhere on those parts of the body that were exposed. Sometimes they even get you under your socks, and then it is later that you feel their bite. Just great.

I have found a method that works for me, to rid my beautiful, weed-infested yard of their hills. For if you don’t deal with them, you will have nice mountains of red clay all over your scenery. So what I found that works is this.

Step on the mound with your foot (shoe on of course) to flatten the mound out. This causes them to eventually move on to the neighbor’s yard. Or if the mound has already grown to be bigger than your foot, take a plank of wood, lay it on top, step on it, and then roll it over to smash the next section. Repeat as needed. Works every time! No pesticides. No buckets of hot water to carry. No bleach killing the rest of your lawn.

It must be said of the ant colonies – they are persistently consistent.

They never give up. They never give in. They keep on working even better than the Energizer Bunny did. (Is he still around, or did his battery finally die out?)

One thing that I have found that also “works” in my Christian life, is to be faithful in the small and the large, is to be persistently consistent in what I do. Then I trust, as He promised, that I will finish the race and get His reward.

After all, who doesn’t like rewards? Even Zoe, our now deceased 12-year-old loving Dachshund, knew that if she consistently finished her doggy supper she would get a rawhide bone! You can bet she likes rewards.

"If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people's things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?” (Luke 16:10-12) New Living Translation

Want to know what are some things in the disciplined Christian life that please our Father in heaven? Seeing His children be faithful in prayer; spending time learning about His ways in His Written Word; and being the one who others can count on when a need needs to be met.

If you learn to be persistently consistent in your doing, you shall obtain the reward, and help others achieve that objective also.

Good servants of the Most High can be counted on, for they have learned to press on and not give up.

“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.

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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

Long-Awaited Promises - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Long-Awaited Promises

Steve Martin

“Next I saw heaven opened, and there before me was a white horse. Sitting on it was the one called Faithful and True, and it is in righteousness that he passes judgment and goes to battle. His eyes were like a fiery flame, and on his head were many royal crowns. And he had a name written which no one knew but himself. He was wearing a robe that had been soaked in blood, and the name by which he is called is, “THE WORD OF GOD.” Revelation 19:11-14, Complete Jewish Bible

So how long has it been? One month? Two years? Four decades? Long-time, right?

How long has it been since you heard the Lord call your name, you responded wholeheartedly with a, “Yes, Lord!” and then His Holy Spirit spoke to personal promises to you?

Was He lying? Did He get your hopes up only to let you down? Were you expecting a rose garden and you seemingly got one filled with weeds and red dirt? (That can happen here in North and South Carolina. Red clay!)

You know what? The One Who is Faithful and True, the One Who cannot lie nor lead you astray, will also be faithful to keep His word given to you. Why? Because He is Love, and Love does not disappoint, Love does not fail, and Love sees that what He promised, even centuries-old, will bring it to pass.

Let me show you how with one big example proving His faithfulness.

Let’s start with Scripture, for that is the only word foundational word that we can stand on. Even the gates of hell, try as they may, will not, cannot, keep His Word spoken and written word from all the days gone by from coming to pass.

We will look at the very words coming to pass today, spoken centuries ago by the prophets of Israel, to those whom He had chosen, to be an example and light to the nations. The Jews.

“'For thus says the Lord God: "Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day.

And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country.

I will feed them in good pasture, and their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel. There they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.

I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down," says the Lord God.

"I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment." Ezekiel 34”11-16, NKJV

The One Who spoke to these people, who themselves had turned from their Living God to the ways of the nations, the idols in their heads and their hearts, scattered them Himself, but Who also promised to bring them back, as one big sing to all people, in all the nations.

He is bringing them back where? To the promised land of Israel. He promised He would do so.

In 1948 He did just that. He Who promised to do that what He had promised, to fulfill prophetic words declared many, many, many years before is doing it now before our very eyes.

You then think the Lord, whom you have called upon to save, lead, and direct your life cannot fulfill a promise He had given you?

Think again. What more proof do we need then to see that the Living God of Israel, Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, is bringing back His people to the Land.

And as for those long-awaited promises that He spoke to you, He indeed will also bring to pass.

Our God is Faithful and True. Stay true yourself to Him and watch Him bring fulfillment.

“Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me; for I am afflicted and needy. Preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to You I cry all day long.

Make glad the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; and give heed to the voice of my supplications!

In the day of my trouble I shall call upon You, for You will answer me. There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like Yours. All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and they shall glorify Your name. For You are great and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God.” Psalm 86:1-10, NASU

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.

Thank you for reading!

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Now Think On This #452 - in the year of our Lord 08.27.19 – “Long-awaited Promises” – Friday, 4:15 am

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Robbie Phillips - A Prophet of the Lord Jesus. Now dancing on the streets of gold!

Robbie Phillips

A Prophet of the Lord Jesus

Now with Our Lord! 

(On to glory Oct. 7, 2017)

Oct. 8, 2017  Sunday

Our dear friend and beloved brother in the Lord, Robbie Phillips, went home to be with Jesus on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017. He had suffered a massive stroke the Sunday before and was on life support until he was released to pass on. He is now dancing on the streets of glory and celebrating the life he so faithfully prophesied to others, as a Prophet and worship leader, walking out his calling. He was indeed a chosen vessel in the Body of our Lord Jesus while living on this planet.

Laurie and I first met Robbie in the late 1990's while at a conference in Columbia, South Carolina. In the prophetic ministry portion, Robbie spoke a word to each of the ones gathered in the room to receive from the Lord. When Robbie declared boldly over me of my being a "teacher" I did not receive it too well. In fact, I spoke later to the organizer Danny Steyne that he was a false prophet! I told Robbie later it was a lie and did not receive his "false" word to me. Oh was I mistaken! 

Since then, and on many occasions later, Robbie faithfully drove the 1.5 hours one way, often with his good wife Betty, to Charlotte to share his love and gifts to home gatherings here.  His accurate prophetic words have come to pass, and are still being fulfilled in our lives and our loved ones.

In May of this year I published a chapter on Robbie in my book, Basic Life Principles. I wanted to honor the Prophet of the Lord for his faithfulness and love.

We love you Robbie and Betty! We honor your legacy! (They too would have celebrated their 40th anniversary today, Oct. 8, 2017 as Laurie and I are so doing.)

We will miss you Robbie, but will be seeing you soon! I hope my mansion is next to yours my beloved friend!

With our eternal love,

Steve and Laurie Martin

Love For His People

Charlotte, North Carolina

USA

 Robbie speaking prophetic word - Christen and Andrew Blade

 Robbie and Michael Blade

Robbie faithfully declaring the Word of the Lord

 

In May of this year 2017 - I published a chapter on Robbie in my book, Basic Life Principles. 

I wanted to honor the Prophet of the Lord for his faithfulness and love.

Robbie with his wife Betty and daughters Abbi and Maley

Who (Whose) Are You? - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Who (Whose) Are You?

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works,

and that my soul knows very well.” (Psalm 139:14, NKJV)

Struggling with self-image is quite common in all nations. We strive to live up to the perfected images blasted out through social media, television, magazines, radio and newspapers. If we aren’t the “perfect” specimen, then we have a problem. Or we “are a problem” and unacceptable. Right?

Aren’t you far too often made to believe that - daily, continually, until you actually believe it, and think it must be true? It doesn’t matter if you are 10, 17, 25, 48 or 63. Or even the golden age of 82 and beyond. We have all struggled with not being accepted, but rejected, for who we are. Or who we are made to believe we are not.

We all are so bombarded with what is the “norm”, that we lose all matter of reality, and Whose we really are.

We each for sure have had a degrading parent, a demanding boss, a deliberate, insecure person in leadership who believes they know who we are and what we should be. They have asked the question so pointedly to us, either out loud or silently to themselves and others around us, “Why can’t you live up to the expectation and perfection that I demand of you?”

How wearing on our soul that becomes. Not receiving the encouragement needed, but instead getting the regular dose of that which discourages us, which makes us feel and believe we are less than what we should be. As a human being no less.

But who is to be our judge? And who sets the so-called life standards? Who decides who is worth living, even from conception, or who can continue to live on?

“If you can’t function “normal” anymore, you are gone.”

Who has the authority and right perspective, taking all matters of judgment into being, in deciding if your very being is worth the very ground you stand on?

Here is the answer! Here is the One Who alone can, and will, decide who you are, who you were created to be, who you can be if your trust and confidence rest in Him.

Take this truth from the very one Who created you. Believe the One who knows all, sees all and will establish you in all.

“Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God — you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration — what a creation!

You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something.

Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, the days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day.

Your thoughts — how rare, how beautiful! God, I'll never comprehend them!

I couldn't even begin to count them — any more than I could count the sand of the sea. Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you!” (Psalm 139:13-18, THE MESSAGE)

Often I purposefully quote the Lord’s Word to myself, which declares, “my times are in Your hands.” It is He who decides the what, when, how, and so what in my life.

As He states so forthright in Psalm 31.

“You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness.

2 Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me.

3 For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name's sake, Lead me and guide me. 4 Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength. 5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.

6 I have hated those who regard useless idols; but I trust in the Lord. 7 I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, for You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities,

8 And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place.

9 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble; my eye wastes away with grief, yes, my soul and my body! 10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away.

11 I am a reproach among all my enemies, but especially among my neighbors, and am repulsive to my acquaintances; those who see me outside flee from me. 12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel.

13 For I hear the slander of many; fear is on every side; while they take counsel together against me, they scheme to take away my life.

14 But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, "You are my God."

15 My times are in Your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me. 16 Make Your face shine upon Your servant; save me for Your mercies' sake. 17 Do not let me be ashamed, O Lord, for I have called upon You; let the wicked be ashamed; let them be silent in the grave.

18 Let the lying lips be put to silence, which speak insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

19 Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men! 20 You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

21 Blessed be the Lord, for He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city! 22 For I said in my haste, "I am cut off from before Your eyes"; nevertheless, You heard the voice of my supplications when I cried out to You.

23 Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints! For the Lord preserves the faithful, and fully repays the proud person.

24 Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” (NKJV)

Yes, we have the One Who will preserve us, Who will strengthen our heart; Whom we can place our hope in and know that He Who is faithful will always be faithful.

Be assured today, that whatever, whoever comes against you, that your Creator stands with you, and will see you to the end.

Thank You, Jesus. We love You, Yeshua.

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

   

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

  

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Now Think On This - in the Year of our Lord 08.13.17 - #306 – “Who (Whose) Are You?” – Sunday 5:35 am