Showing posts with label grace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grace. Show all posts

Thursday, November 2, 2017

He Speaks In Many Ways - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

He Speaks In Many Ways

Now Think On This
Steve Martin

“Give ear and hear my voice, listen and hear my speech.” (Isaiah 28:23, NKJV) 


The Lord didn’t stop creating after the first seven days of creation. In fact, He likes being creative in how He speaks with us. He chooses to do that in many ways.

Each one of us hears differently. Each one receives from others in ways that may not be the same to the others.

There was a book written several years ago describing how each person receives love by unique methods, unlike what another may prefer. That is because we are all specially created. Each one of us has been put together and gifted with special receptions through our senses. Because of His amazing mind, and His continuing loving thoughts toward us, they come our way as such.

I can say that is how the Lord ministers to us as individuals, in His speaking to us. One of His delights in His relationship with us, as an individual, is through Him using creative ways. And each one of us will hear and respond accordingly.

Ever hear the story of the spider web in the corner of the red barn? (Having been raised in the center of America in the Midwest, in Iowa no less, I did!) When three different people looked at the insect hanging high above in the rafters, one person said immediately, “Kill the spider.” Another grabbed a camera and took different shots from different angles, noting the symmetry and beauty of the spun web. And yet another said to leave it alone, for it was catching bugs that we don’t want around anyway.

Each one perceived and responded differently to what they saw, because each of us have unique qualities about and within us. The Lord, the One who created these in us, has even chosen to share His thoughts to us in ways that we can relate to, based on our makeup.

For me, I like numbers. I guess I always have, even when I would go buy a candy bar as a little kid and base the choice purchase on the weight of the bar, getting more for the money, rather than if I really liked one better than another. I know, I know. But that’s the way I have been created.

Because of this numbers thing, here is a true story that occurred the day I retired from my Accountant’s job (surprised?!) on October 31, 2017. It reveals how the Lord loves to speak to me in a way that I fully comprehend.

As I drove that early Tuesday morning (6:00 am) north on I77 interstate in North Carolina, from my
home in Pineville to my job in center city Charlotte, I knew that my odometer would hit “8888” on the way. That in itself meant something to me. Here the Lord was going to have my car, a Hyundai Elantra, turn the mileage reading over to that specific number on my last day before my retirement. (I turn 63 on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2017.)


Knowing that the number “8” in the Judeo-Christian Bible represents “new beginnings”, I was so looking forward to this day, this month, this year in my life’s journey. He knows that numbers are a big thing in my life - clocks, spreadsheets, calendars – you get the point. And that is how He was speaking to me.

What made this extra special was the fact that at Exit 8, Remount Road to be exact on the interstate, was the one I came up to when the odometer turned over to “8888.” Now isn’t that something! I can’t make this stuff up!


The fact that my Lord Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, chose to speak to me in this way was even more extra special. With four eights, “8888”, in front of my eyes on the dashboard when the odometer turned over at Exit 8, now there were “5” eights. This said to me that this day marked a new season of my life, and that the five eights represented the extra grace (5 means grace) that would start me off in this new beginning. And not only to begin afreash, but complete, the full purpose and calling on my life.

I give thanks that the Lord speaks to us. I rejoice that each of us can hear, see and feel His presence in the way that we can best relate to Him.
 
The Lord God Almighty, Creator of the Universe, choses to show Himself to us, individually and also collectively (see those signs in the heavens lately???) in ways that we can know for certain that He is living, He is active, and He wants us to know Him personally, being the Father that He is.

Need a word from the Lord? Ask Him even now. And be prepared to receive His unique way of speaking to your heart, your spirit, even your body, in a way that you can know for certain of His love for you. Trust me, He will.

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this,


Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc.

Be sure to sign up for our newsletter. Use the "Sign Up" button on our website, or go here: Sign Me Up!


If these messages have ministered to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $10-$25 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.
  
Secure, conveniently contributions can be done online now. Click here: DONATE 

(or use the DONATE buttons on the blog.)

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.) 

Please share Now Think On This with your friends on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and LinkedIn.  We appreciate your help.

Now Think On This - in the Year of our Lord 11.02.17 - #327 – “He Speaks In Many Ways”

Thursday, 5:30 pm 

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Hope - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Hope

Now Think On This
Steve Martin

  
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12, Tree of Life (TLV)

As I sat across the table from Hope, I wondered if her middle name was Joy. Wouldn’t that have been nice! (I know a Joy by the way. I know Grace, Faith, and even Prudence. What names the Lord has given these lovely ladies!)

Hope was doing a short interview of me for the seasonal work at Samaritan’s Purse here in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Operation Christmas Child Shoebox season was fast approaching, and I wanted to be a part of the team again this go around. I had served here two previous years, and was looking forward to another time with Franklin Graham’s great program for worldwide kids. Blessed to be a blessing.

I had hope.

Some people don’t. They have lost hope in their dreams; their vision has vanished; they see things around them and wonder, “What happened? Why am I here when I thought it was supposed to be so much better?”

Those are real hurts and pains. I know. I have had them myself more times than I care to remember, or even write about. You believe something for so long, and then nothing. Nada. It ain’t happening. Or so you thought for so long.

But it is. It will happen. One thing we can count on in life is that the One who gives life, dreams, provides vision and leads us down a good path is the Lover of our soul. The One who gives is so capable because He is the same One who gave all. He gave His life for us.

This is one thing I do know. Jesus (Yeshua is His beloved Hebrew-given name) cannot lie when He speaks; He cannot hate when He loves; He cannot steal when He gives us His provision. He cannot because it is not in His eternal nature to do so. It is just not there.

What is there in His eternal being is real hope, real love, real encouragement, real joy, real passion for saving the people in the nations.

Without Jesus the people perish. One gunshot, one hurricane, one earthquake and it can be all over for those who have not called upon the Name of the Lord. He is our only hope.

My heart-felt prayer is that you have hope today. Let it be renewed, let it be abundant, let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart afresh and let you know there is light at the end of this tunnel you are in. For the Light has come, He is eternal, and where there is hope there is life to press on through whatever comes your way.


Hope in Jesus today. Be confident in what He has planned for you. He knows what it is and it is good.

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this,
  
Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc.

P.S. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter. Use the "SignUp" button on our website, or go here: Sign Me Up!


If these messages have ministered to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $10-$25 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.
  
Secure, conveniently contributions can be done online now. Click here: DONATE 

(or use the DONATE buttons on the blog.)

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.) 

Please share Now Think On This with your friends on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and LinkedIn.  We appreciate your help.

Now Think On This - in the Year of our Lord 10.04.17 - #320 – “Hope” 7:00 am

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Arms of Love - "Grace" - Love For His People video with Steve Martin

Steve Martin, Love For His People Founder/President

"Grace"

Love For His People video 
with Steve Martin

Aug. 15, 2017


Greetings friends of Love For His People.

Grace is the word for today! And don't we all need much of it? We certainly do.

When I asked the Lord what the message should be for this edition of Arms of Love, the Holy Spirit gave me the word "grace" yesterday as I drove home from my accounting job. I really needed it there, as I close out my 5-year tenure come this Oct. 31. I am sure you need some more grace in your life too. Today possibly? I think every day!

I hope you are encouraged as you listen to this word shared from my heart. Please let me know if it does, will you?

Grace, grace, grace. Fill our hearts today Lord with your faith, hope, love and grace!

Ahava and shalom,

Steve

Grace abounds!

You can help us help others in Israel, Pakistan Northern Ireland and Nigeria, where we support families and ministries who also have a heart for Israel, and love the people in their land. 

Checks can be mailed to:

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

We have been a USA non-profit since 2010. Gifts are tax-deductible.



Above video - YouTube - Published on Aug 15, 2017
Arms of Love - Love For His People video with Steve Martin - "Grace" (message #2)

Aug. 15, 2017 Recorded in Pineville, North Carolina in our "studio" (born-again garage)

Videos filmed and shared by Steve Martin - to give appreciation to and love for those we support, through Love For His People, Inc.

Category
Travel & Events
License
Standard YouTube License

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

The Most Dangerous Prayer in the Bible - J. LEE GRADY CHARISMA MAGAZINE




This is what I call a dangerous prayer. It should include a warning label! (Getty Images)

The Most Dangerous Prayer in the Bible

Fire in My Bones, by J. Lee Grady
More than 19 years ago, I found myself at a church altar in Orlando, Florida. God had been dealing with me about leaving my comfort zone. I had a great job with nice benefits, yet I felt spiritually unfulfilled. I knew there was an amazing adventure in front of me, but I had placed serious limitations on my obedience.
As I buried my head in the carpet in that church, I realized God was requiring unconditional surrender. He wanted me to wave a white flag. I knew what I had to say, but it was difficult to form the words. Finally, I coughed them up. I said the same thing the prophet Isaiah prayed long ago: "Here I am, send me!" (Is. 6:8b).
This is what I call a dangerous prayer. It should include a warning label!
I believe when you utter these simple words, heaven takes a Polaroid picture of you with your hands up—and an amazing process begins. God closes in on us in order to crush our fears and demolish our selfishness. Then He gives us the holy boldness to speak what we were afraid to say.
When I prayed this prayer in 1998, I immediately had a vision while I was still on the floor. I saw a sea of African faces. I knew I'd be going to Africa, and I was scared to death. I had no idea how I would get there, what I would say or who would pay for the trip. So I swallowed hard and prayed again: Here I am, send me!
Less than two years later, I found myself standing on a huge stage in a sports arena in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, speaking to 7,000 pastors. I did not enjoy the bumpy flight across the Sahara, and my knees were knocking when I preached. I felt as if I had been pushed way out on a limb.
But even though I was terrified, my fear was mixed with incredible joy. The Lord had overcome my resistance, and He was using me. Since that trip, I have ministered in more than 30 countries. This week, I have been in Malaysia and Singapore, all because I prayed a dangerous prayer.
Grace is so amazing. God not only gives us the power to serve Him; He plants in us the desire to surrender to His will even if we are scared of the consequences. This is what the apostle Paul described when he said: "For God is the One working in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).
God has an uncanny way of wooing us into obedience and submission. Our flesh may protest; our fears may paralyze us. But in the end, if we will simply lift our hands in surrender, grace takes over. He gives us power, strength and a willing heart. And the results are supernatural because it is God at work in us.
Jesus taught His disciples to cultivate this willing spirit and to pray this dangerous prayer. He told them: "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest" (Luke 10:2).
This is what I call a trick prayer. You pray it at your own risk. When we ask the Lord to send workers into His fields, we are really praying, "Here I am, Lord. Send Mike—or Chuck—or Barbara." But the Lord of the harvest will likely tap you on the shoulder and say, "Well? What about you?"
The church has advanced throughout history because of people who surrendered to God. One of them was the brave David Brainerd (1718-1747), a missionary to American Indians during the First Great Awakening. Although he died of tuberculosis at age 29, his legacy of total consecration lives on in his journal, published by his friend Jonathan Edwards.
Brainerd recorded this very dangerous prayer in his diary: "Here am I, send me; send me to the ends of the earth; send me to the rough, the savage pagans of the wilderness; send me from all that is called comfort on earth; send me even to death itself, if it be but in Thy service, and to promote Thy kingdom."
We rarely hear prayers like that today. Brainerd's passion would be considered politically incorrect fanaticism today. We don't promote self-sacrifice; we have a new gospel of self-fulfillment. We don't talk about carrying a burden for lost people; we ourselves are lost in our comfortable materialism.
I wonder what would happen if all of us prayed Isaiah's prayer with full sincerity. What if you raised your hands and left all your fears, worries, excuses, stipulations, limitations and conditions on heaven's altar—and invited God to use your life in any way He wants.
I invite you to take the risk. Pray a dangerous prayer, and see how God will use you. 
J. Lee Grady was editor of Charisma for 11 years before he launched into full-time ministry in 2010. Today he directs The Mordecai Project, a Christian charitable organization that is taking the healing of Jesus to women and girls who suffer abuse and cultural oppression. Author of several books including 10 Lies the Church Tells Women, he has just released his newest book, Set My Heart on Fire, from Charisma House. You can follow him on Twitter at @LeeGrady or go to his website, themordecaiproject.org.
Readers are Leaders! Subscribe now and get 3 magazines for the price of 1. Get Charisma, Ministry Today and SpiritLed Woman all for $24. YES - Sign me up!
3 Reasons Why you should read Life in the Spirit. 1) Get to know the Holy Spirit. 2) Learn to enter God's presence 3) Hear God's voice clearly! Click here to draw closer to God!

Sunday, July 16, 2017

Our niece, Pastor Kylie Groves, at Lyman Wesleyan Church - message on the sacraments, baptism, sin and grace.

Pastor Kylie Groves, my niece

Our niece, Pastor Kylie Groves, at Lyman Wesleyan Church - the sacraments, baptism, sin and grace.

July 16, 2017

This Sunday my mom Lila Parker, husband Bill Parker and I journeyed the hour and a half drive down I85 from Charlotte, North Carolina to Lyman, South Carolina (near Greenville). My niece Kylie Groves, now married to Dillon Groves, was giving the message at their new place of ministry, the Lyman Wesleyan Church. Both are now the pastors of the congregation.

Kylie did a great job with her message, as she shared truth found in the Word of God. 

Along with her two sisters (Chelsea and Jamie), she was grounded in the Word by her parents - my sister Janet Rovenstine, and her husband, my good brother-in-law, Senior Pastor Nate Rovenstine. (They lead the Connect Church in Lawrence, Kansas. Both are graduates of the Wesleyan college in Bartlesville, OK.)

It is very good and encouraging to see our family walk in the ways of the Lord Jesus, teaching and sharing the love of the Lord with those around them.

Good job Kylie! We are proud of you and Dillon. Keep up the great, eternal work of sharing the faith that is so needed in our day. Your generation and mine need to hear you stand strong for righteousness and truth, with courage and boldness.

Be blessed in your blessing others,

Uncle Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love for His People, Inc.

P.S. And I hope you enjoy the three books I gave you! Sorry I misspelled your name Dillon when I signed them. I also have a grand daughter named Dylan Joy.



Pastor Kylie Groves - teaching the Word of God!


  Front: Bill and Lila Parker (my mom)
Pastors Dillon and Kylie Groves

 Family gathering (L-R): Bill and Lila Parker, Janet Rovenstine, my sister (one of five), who is a great pastor's wife, plus a full-time teacher in the Lawrence Public School system, 
Kylie Groves (my niece) and me (Steve Martin)


Be blessed in your blessing!





Yes! Celebrate our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!


Banner in the Sunday school room.

Also watch another short video from the same message -
Pastor Kylie - church light bulb outreach.

2nd video. Watch here: Reaching into the community


Friday, November 11, 2016

Mercy for the USA - Now Think On This by Steve Martin


Mercy for the USA

Now Think On This
Steve Martin


“For He says to Moses, "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION." So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH." So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.” (Romans 9:15-18, NASU)


The United States of America experienced God’s mercy the week of the national elections, rather than receiving judgement on a nation that has in many ways turned its back on God. We could have continued to be cursed with unrighteous leaders, who swore to uphold the ungodly ways we had allowed to overtake us in these last decades. But His mercy prevailed.

With the acceptance of same-sex marriage, applauded (and exalted by the White House); continuing unlimited murder of our unborn children since 1973; adultery and fornication ruling the day; and despising the very laws of God that were foundational in our formation over 240 years ago; the USA was well deserving of the Lord’s righteous judgement.

But instead we received His mercy. Or as a dictionary reads, “the kindness or help given to people who are in a very bad or desperate situation.

How many in our country realized this merciful action of the Living God? How many will acknowledge that it is only by His Hand that we still stand, living another day, with His provision and abundance given our way?

Only by His mercy do we still stand.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:4-10, NASU)

We do not deserve His grace. Our transgressions as a nation have been seen by all the nations. And it is only by His grace that we have been saved. It is not of ourselves. It is another gift of God, being rich in mercy.

My prayer is that our hearts will be turned back to His, that we will repent of our sins, receive His full mercy, and be a light on the hill that we were created to be. I pray that we will not use His mercy for our own pleasures, or as an excuse to continue in unbridled transgressions, but will walk in His light and goodness, to be an extension of the hand of God, reaching out to ingather those He longs to save.

The Lord God of Israel has once again had mercy on the USA. May we not take this unmerited grace for granted.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People, Inc.

 P.S. I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. They might need it. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

We are blessed when the ministry receives gifts to support the families that we do, primarily in Israel, Hungary, India, Pakistan and the hurting ones here in the USA. You also can share out of the abundance you have been given.

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.

If these messages minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families we know in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

Click here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: Love For His People. If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available). 

Contribution checks can be sent to: 
Love For His People, Inc.  P.O. Box414   Pineville, NC 28134

Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)
Please share Now Think On This with your friends.

Email: loveforhispeople@gmail.com  
martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin and  Love For His People  
Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople 

Full website: Love For His People

Now Think On This - In the Year of our Lord 11.11.16 - #268 –“Mercy for the USA” – Friday 7:45 am

All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This


Again, I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve