Why now at 70 and not 30? - Steve Martin

 

Why now at 70 and not 30?

“After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him (Moses) in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in the flame of a burning thorn bush.” Acts 7:30, NASB

In Exodus, we read a little bit more of Moses' response to the Lord’s calling to him, after the Lord appeared to him.

^7-8 God said, “I’ve taken a good, long look at the affliction of my people in Egypt. I’ve heard their cries for deliverance from their slave masters; I know all about their pain. And now I have come down to help them, pry them loose from the grip of Egypt, get them out of that country and bring them to a good land with wide-open spaces, a land lush with milk and honey, the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite.

^9-10 “The Israelite cry for help has come to me, and I’ve seen for myself how cruelly they’re being treated by the Egyptians. It’s time for you to go back: I’m sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the People of Israel, out of Egypt.”

¹¹ Moses answered God, “But why me? What makes you think that I could ever go to Pharaoh and lead the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (emphasis mine)

¹² “I’ll be with you,” God said. “And this will be the proof that I am the one who sent you: When you have brought my people out of Egypt, you will worship God right here at this very mountain.”

¹³ Then Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the People of Israel and I tell them, ‘The God of your fathers sent me to you’; and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ What do I tell them?”

¹⁴ God said to Moses, “I-AM-WHO-I-AM. Tell the People of Israel, ‘I-AM sent me to you.’” The Message

When I was 30, having already been married 7 years, with my wife being just 25, with two sons and two daughters having escaped out of the womb, the Lord had already put in my heart to “go to the nations”. I can remember being 10, and my mom talking about how she had always wanted to be a missionary and telling me about it. But with her marriage and eight kids to raise, that never happened.

I think her heart became mine, which had come from the same Father.

But now, at the ripe old age of 70, that long-held desire of my heart, which He had put there, is being fulfilled. My wife Laurie and I are going to Jerusalem to volunteer at Christian Friends of Israel for three months. Finally!

But why did the Lord wait so long? Why wasn’t the time right for me to go at 30, when I, really, really wanted to? When I was young, and full of wisdom, and knew more than the Lord did. Or so I thought at times.

Looking back at the patriarchs, i.e., Abraham, Moses, even David, it is almost plain to see that the Lord loves those who are “seasoned”, “prepared”, “having gone through the wringer” (an ancient term that very old people know about.)

I do see the wisdom of the Lord now. It has only taken me 40 years. Now firmly believing, as one should, that “when I am weak He is strong”.

“Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10, NASB

God the Father seems to know what is best. After all, “Father Knows Best”, as the TV show proved, beginning in 1954 (the year of my birth) through 1960, had us all believing in a godly father, a godly mother, a loving household, and the good ways of American life back then. Before much of it was stained by the ways of the world.

My heart is to see those of you who have reached those “golden years” to realize that it is not the time to retire, to sit on the front porch swing (which I do enjoy) and read the latest Robert Whitlow novel (whom I know personally and highly recommend.)

It is time for us to use that wisdom, those years of hard knocks and knives in the back, scares on our knees from praying, and joys that we know He has blessed us with, and go to the cities, the states, the nations…and do what our great Father, the Living God of Israel, has so prepared for us to do.

Let’s go!

Ahava and Shalom,

Steve Martin

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Message #10 in my new series (2025): "Why now at 70 and not 30?" - Aug. 2, 2025

#retirement #Jesus #Yeshua #SteveMartin #Moses #heart #goldenyears #GodtheFather # Jerusalem, 

Come and Go - Hear the Word of the Lord - new book by Steve Martin

When the Lord calls each of us to “come, follow Me”, He does so because He has a great plan and purpose for each of our lives. He knows what our desires are, but most importantly, He is the one who puts those desires in our hearts.

As you seek Him, He will lead you to places you have never dreamed of, giving you missions you had never thought possible, and will direct your steps to complete the total picture He has for you, as you take your place in His Body among the peoples of the nations.

Each must hear the word to “Come”, and then listen to the word of the Lord to “Go.” May that be in your heart.

Buy now - Paperback $7.99, Kindle $0.99: COME AND GO

With this, my 38^th book, I dedicate to those who hear the Word of the Lord. And obey it. First, to “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NASB). 

 And then, to those who hear and obey His command. “And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15, NASB), taking His message of forgiveness, love, and grace to walk in His plans and purposes for your life.

May His Holy Spirit continue to guide you and lead you to the completion of the assigned mission He has given specifically to you.

When the Lord calls each of us to “come, follow Me”, He does so because He has a great plan and purpose for each of our lives. He knows what our desires are, but most importantly, He is the one who puts those desires in our hearts.

As you seek Him, He will lead you to places you have never dreamed of, giving you missions you had never thought possible, and will direct your steps to complete the total picture He has for you, as you take your place in His Body among the peoples of the nations.

We have heard the word to “Come”, and now we have again heard the word of the Lord to “Go.”

And thus, we shall!

Buy now - Paperback $7.99, Kindle $0.99: COME AND GO

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  

Dedication                               Page  5

Introduction                             Page  6

 

1.      I’m Back                                 Page 7

2.      He Gives Us Signs                  Page 9

3.      Friendships. We Need Them. Page 14

4.      If You Seek Me                       Page 18

5.      Call It What It Is                     Page 22

6.      Live Generously                     Page 25

7.      Live Generously. But How?   Page 28

8.      Snakes in the Grass                 Page 32

9.      Family                                     Page 36

10.  Why now 70 and not 30?        Page 40

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR                   Page 44

CONTACT INFORMATION            Page 46

OTHER BOOKS STEVE MARTIN  Page 47

Buy now - Paperback $7.99, Kindle $0.99: COME AND GO

#ComeandGo #SteveMartin #newbook #Amazon #faith #Jesus #Yeshua #BenMartin #Laurie Martin

Spiritual Leaders Emerging by Elaine Tavolacci By Elaine Tavolacci Identity Network

Spiritual Leaders Emerging by Elaine Tavolacci

Identity Network

 

The other day the Lord showed me a picture of a lioness nursing her cubs. I understood immediately that He was showing me that He is raising up women as well as men to be mentors to the next generation. Some of you are being groomed for ministry to nurture the younger believers into the calling that the Lord has for them. Those of you who are grounded in the word, know how to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, and are able to discern that which is spiritual from that which is carnal, will mentor these young cubs.

 

To those of you who are in your "golden years," the Lord has not forgotten you. You will release the wisdom and revelation that He has imparted to you to the younger generation.

 

After I received this word I did a search on the lioness and her cubs. The cubs will go on to eat meat after a few months but remain dependent on the mother's milk for up to two years. The mother protects them as they are vulnerable to predators and other lions that may also be a threat. The lionesses will fight back when anyone tries to attack her cubs.

 

I also came across a story that happened last year of a lion that was found nursing a leopard cub. They said that it seems as though this lioness's aggressive instincts have taken a back seat to her maternal ones. Lions live in groups called "prides" which mean that this leopard cub would need to be welcomed into the lion pride after it matures. The Lord showed me something interesting as I read this. There are those of you who will be also mentoring others who are outside of the lion's pride. They will come from other tribes and you will welcome them, take them under your wings and council them.

 

Jesus is looking for mentors that will reach out and rescue those who are in desperate situations because they know what it is to pay the price as they have overcome through grueling trials. They are mature believers who will train and equip the young ones for their assignment ahead. They will explain the battle plan and teach them how to be tenacious in spiritual warfare and how to be strong and very courageous. They have been more than conqueror's in every battle and will train others to be the same. They will encourage them to pursue the plan and calling on their lives and never retreat in battle. They will teach them how to walk and train them how to be led. They will teach them when to war, and teach them when to stand.

 

Discovering Purpose

 

He is looking for those who will help them to discover their purpose for their lives. They will not mentor from natural knowledge, but they will teach what they have learned through divine revelation of the Word of God. They will advise them on righteousness and teach them to live with clean hands and a pure heart. Demons tremble at the sound of their voice because they carry an anointing and understand their Covenant rights.

 

He is looking for the prophets to teach the younger ones how to be used in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. To show them how to be used in miracles, signs and wonders with respect and reverence of the anointing on their lives. They are those who know their authority in Jesus name. They will be those who mentor not only through sound doctrine but in wisdom and love. They will mentor not just with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power

 

Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.

 

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

 

Hebrews 5:14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

 

Elaine Tavolacci

www.awordinseason.info

www.TheVoiceOfBreakthrough.com

www.TheVoiceOfProphecy.com

 

Go here to read more articles by Elaine Tavolacci.

 

 

 

21 Tests of Effective Leadership

Ebook PDF Download

By Larry Kreider
Price: $16.99
Sale! $11.69 

Click HERE to order.

 

 

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Open Hands, Open Heart - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Open Hands, Open Heart

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24, NKJV)

One would think that when a certain age is reached in this human life, the need to press on in faith is not as great, or as needful as when one is just starting out in a younger age. I for one am finding that that is not necessarily so. The call to walk in faith, on a daily scale, seems to be just as needed as when I was young and raring to go, full of energy and vigor - to conquer the world for God.

It isn’t done until it is done.

It seems to be true that in this life we are not meant to reach that point where we can sit back and say, “I am finished. I did it all. No need to press on any further. There is no more for me, so I can relax and watch the remaining days go by, with ease and full pleasure.”

For me, it isn’t so. I find myself just as often these days, my “golden years”, visualizing my hands raised, open to the heavens, saying to the Lord, “I need You today. I need You to guide my steps. I need my heart to be open to your plans and purposes in my life for this hour, as they were in my past years, to accomplish what You want.”

Did not the Lord Himself advise the one who thought he had accomplished it all, by speaking these words of truth to him? “'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 12:19-21, NASU)

Looks like we must never come to the point when we sit back and basically say to ourselves that we no longer need to seek, ask, or find what the Lord has yet in store for us. He is always calling us to Himself, to expect more from Him, to rest not in our accomplished laurels but in finishing strong to the end the full package He has in mind for each.

My heart is open to going further in the ways of the Lord, to have Him even more so perform the works of the Holy Spirit through me, bringing light and glory to the ones around me, and in the nations. Though I am content with what has come, what has been completed, grateful for what has been achieved in these past years, I will yet desire to press on to full completion.

Retirement in the Kingdom of God doesn’t seem to be found written in the Word of God.

You yourself may be one, like myself, who has reached the late 50’s, 60’s, or beyond. At times we have grown very weary in the pursuit and the fulfillment of it all, but with the strength of the Almighty One we serve, we have yet more to do. In His might we will accomplish it.

Keep your hands open and your heart also. Be encouraged in your pressing on. The reward is great. There is much yet to be won. And then we can sit back and enjoy the mansion in heaven that even now is being built for us.

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 #344 - in the year of our Lord 03.14.18 – “Open Hands, Open Heart”, Wednesday, 11:45 am