"Clean Heart" by Steve Martin (text only)

 

Painting by Greg Olsen

Clean Heart

 

“Create in me a clean heart, God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10, NASB

 

 

While trying to listen to the Word of the Holy Spirit as to what to write, I heard a few words. Not being sure as to which one to focus on, I thought, “Well, let’s make this a 'mishmash' message, or 'mixed bag' as another way to put it. And so, I shall.

The first word I want to consider is contentious. Have you ever spoken something, only to have another respond and say the opposite, or negatively, as if that were their mission in life: to be contentious?

If you observe and listen to some, they seem to carry in their spirit this counteraction to anything positive, to make sure one sees the “other side”. But is that always necessary? Do we always have to point out what the “what ifs” will be, and just go with a faith response, such as, “I hope that comes true”, or “Lord, Your will be done. Show me the good in this.”

Have we become so ingrained in negativity that we can’t see the Lord’s hand in everything?

At one time, we used to hear the saying, “So heavenly-minded that they are no earthly good.” I want to offer – maybe that is not so bad after all? To imagine the way the Lord would see things from His vantage point, certainly having a higher vision which is so much more vast than ours. And then try to imitate Him.

Think about it, and yes, try it sometime. When someone offers a point of view, try giving a positive or encouraging response, and avoid negativity. Maybe your needed attitude adjustment will get adjusted. I pray it be so.

And then that word which rises up in me sometimes. Jealousy.

As I again read the Scriptures about the prodigal son, found in Luke 15, personally, I still have to agree with the older son and ask, “Why not me?” (Just being honest here.)

We read of the elder son’s response, “But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you, and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you never gave me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.” Luke 15:29-30, NASB

Of course, the father was right when he wanted to rejoice and give a party for the prodigal, repentant younger one, but I tend to agree with the elder. Or is it jealousy on my part? Would you have reacted the same way? Be honest.

I am still praying about my attitude regarding this story.

So, these are two words the Lord is working in my heart. I want to be more like Him and have a clean heart.

“Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithfulness; according to the greatness of Your compassion, wipe out my wrongdoings. Wash me thoroughly from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my wrongdoings, and my sin is constantly before me.” Psalm 51:1-3, NASB

 

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

Message #3, 2026, “Clean Heart” Feb. 2, 2026

#cleanheart #SteveMartin #jealousy #contentious #contentions #prodigalson #Jesus #Yeshua #bibleteaching

"Clean Heart" - message by Steve Martin, Love For His People

 

Tristan and Galya Hall family, Steve & Laurie Martin

Israel January 2026

"Clean Heart" - message by Steve Martin, Love For His People

Israel Photo of the Week: The camel likes me. (Steve Martin in the photo at Sea Level near the Dead Sea, Israel. November 2025) Top photo: The Tristan and Galya Hall family, Steve and Laurie Martin (Elvis American Restaurant near Jerusalem, Israel, January 10, 2026) Feb 3, 2026 Charlotte, North Carolina Greetings from cold-bound and snow-bound Carolina. With a record-setting 11"of snowfall or more during the weekend, followed by temperatures that bring out the long underwear, it tends to shut things down in this area. We are not like those up North. Or out West. Or the New England area. We are southerners. When I sought the Lord for a word, He actually gave me two. Literally. Feel free to seek them out, and you will be rewarded. Below please. Ahava and shalom, Steve Martin Love For His People in Charlotte, North Carolina P.S. My new book (click here: BACK TO JERUSALEM) is free this week for ebook download. Until midnight Feb. 5, 2026. And... you don't need a  Kindle to get it. Any computer works. Clean Heart   “Create in me a clean heart, God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10, NASB     While trying to listen to the Word of the Holy Spirit as to what to write, I heard a few words. Not being sure as to which one to focus on, I thought, “Well, let’s make this a 'mishmash' message, or 'mixed bag' as another way to put it. And so, I shall. The first word I want to consider is contentious. Have you ever spoken something, only to have another respond and say the opposite, or negatively, as if that were their mission in life: to be contentious? If you observe and listen to some, they seem to carry in their spirit this counteraction to anything positive, to make sure one sees the “other side”. But is that always necessary? Do we always have to point out what the “what ifs” will be, and just go with a faith response, such as, “I hope that comes true”, or “Lord, Your will be done. Show me the good in this.” Have we become so ingrained in negativity that we can’t see the Lord’s hand in everything? At one time, we used to hear the saying, “So heavenly-minded that they are no earthly good.” I want to offer – maybe that is not so bad after all? To imagine the way the Lord would see things from His vantage point, certainly having a higher vision which is so much more vast than ours. And then try to imitate Him. Think about it, and yes, try it sometime. When someone offers a point of view, try to respond positively or encouragingly, and avoid negativity. Maybe your needed attitude adjustment will get adjusted. I pray it be so. And then that word which rises up in me sometimes. Jealousy. As I read the Scriptures about the prodigal son in Luke 15 again, I still have to agree with the older son and ask, “Why not me?” (Just being honest here.) We read of the elder son’s response, “But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you, and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you never gave me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.” Luke 15:29-30, NASB Of course, the father was right when he wanted to rejoice and give a party for the prodigal, repentant younger one, but I tend to agree with the elder. Or is it jealousy on my part? Would you have reacted the same way? Be honest. I am still praying about my attitude regarding this story. So, these are two words the Lord is working in my heart. I want to be more like Him and have a clean heart. “Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithfulness; according to the greatness of Your compassion, wipe out my wrongdoings. Wash me thoroughly from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my wrongdoings, and my sin is constantly before me.” Psalm 51:1-3, NASB   Ahava and shalom, Steve Martin Message #3, 2026, “Clean Heart” Feb. 2, 2026 My latest book, #1 on an Amazon bestseller list for a period of time, was published on Jan. 22, 2026. Back To Jerusalem Steve Martin (224 pages, 153 photos/images). Available now on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook. In the fall of 2025, my good wife Laurie (48 years and counting) and I had the most incredible time in Jerusalem and many parts of Israel. We had come to be with Christian Friends of Israel Jerusalem, as needed. As I sit on the back veranda of the apartment they provided for us, I watch the sun rise over the southeast as another of His glorious days begins. My heart is full of the love of Yeshua (Jesus) for this, His chosen city, His chosen Land, and His chosen people, the Jews. We came to bring comfort to His people coming out from a heartbreaking war on the eight fronts the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were fighting, after the horrendous, murderous, home destruction day of October 7, 2023. The Israelis had been fighting for their lives, their families, their land promised to them by the Living God of Israel. We hoped to bring His love to them as Christians, standing on His Word. God the Father did not fail them. In so many miraculous ways, He protected them, united them, and caused them to cry out to Him for His salvation. Over 1200 Jewish civilians were lost that day. Over 1000 young men, women, and reserves have since been lost, destroyed by the enemy who seems never to go away. “We just want peace,” is the cry of our friends’ hearts here in Jerusalem and the surrounding hills. But, when the Messiah Yeshua returns to this very city, Jerusalem, they will know Him as their Peace King, their Shalom Most High. As that time of His return quickly approaches, we joined with several hundred Christians, coming from the nations, to comfort, stand in support, and let the love of the Father work through us for them. In this, my 40th book, written during my 30th trip to Israel since the late 1990s, I share some of my stories. Some of the 28 chapters are in the “present tense” because I wrote them as they occurred. You will also see over 150 photos of Israel. Many Jews are returning to their Land now, as prophesied centuries ago by Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Yeshua Himself. Christians are going to Israel to comfort and support them in their return. And then Jesus (Yeshua) will return as the King of kings and Lord of lords. I desire that the Lord Himself will touch your heart, and you, too, will join Him in this glorious work, to see His salvation come to the Jews and Arabs of Israel. Ahava and shalom, Steve Martin, Love For His People Jerusalem, Israel, Jan. 7, 2026 Buy now on Amazon. Hardcover $15.95, Paperback $12.95, Kindle $2.99, Audio Book $ 3.99. We are indeed grateful for your support, which we will continue to use for Steve's next trip back to Jerusalem. Contributions are welcome online by clicking here: DONATE HERE ON OUR WEBSITE. Visit our Website Share This Email   Share This Email   Share This Email Love For His People Ministry | P. O. Box 1113 | Pineville, NC 28134 US

#cleanheart #SteveMartin #jealousy #contentious #contentions #prodigalson #Jesus #Yeshua #bibleteaching

How You Can Provoke Jewish People to Jealousy - GRANT BERRY CHARISMA NEWS

Here are ways you can more effectively evangelize to Jewish people. (Getty Images )

How You Can Provoke Jewish People to Jealousy

1/31/2017 GRANT BERRY  CHARISMA NEWS

When thinking of how I can become more effective in bringing the gospel to the Jewish people, I am often reminded of the Apostle Paul's writings in Romans to stir the rest of us into Jewish witness and evangelism.

"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Rom. 10:14).

One of my dear good friends and brothers in Yeshua/Jesus, J.B. Bernstein, is a Messianic evangelist whose belly is filled with the fire of the Lord to bring the good news back to the Jewish people and of course anyone else who will listen.

He has written a new ebook on this subject to help enlighten and equip the rest of us, which can really help to make a difference in our Jewish witness and evangelism.

Here are some of his thoughts and a link below to his website to access the free ebook.

More next month from the land of Israel ... Grant Berry

Evangelist J.B. Bernstein

"I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid! But through their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous" (Rom. 11:11).

Romans 11:11 is a verse of Scripture that has not yet fully come into its fulfillment. On the contrary, up to this point; instead of loving the Jews, the ancient church persecuted them in its place and greatly misunderstood the plight of the Jewish people, ultimately misleading the rest of us. So, for the past 1,800 years, we have not yet come close to this calling.

However, as we draw closer to the Lord's return, all of this is about to change; as God re-focuses His heart and plans to restore His first-born, there is a new love for Israel in the air, and our Gentile family has a huge role to play out in their salvation. Now we must re-learn how to rebuild these bridges between Jew and Gentile in the family of God.

Can You See Yourself in a New Light?

Firstly, we need to remind ourselves that our Jesus is Jewish, as well as all of the apostles and prophets; that our Savior is the Son of David, the lion of the tribe of Judah and the King of the Jews. We need to begin to lay a Jewish foundation for the gospel that Jewish people may more readily receive.

I believe the time has come for Christians to finally be the catalysts God intends them to be and provoke Jewish people to such jealousy that they will run to and embrace their Messiah. What an amazing thought.

The question is: How can this get done? What does it look like? What will make Jewish people jealous of Christians?

How Can This Happen?

I believe the Lord has revealed how this can happen, and I am very excited at the prospect of the entire body of Messiah/Christ embracing, understanding and fulfilling their purpose to bring salvation back to the people who first brought it to them.

To make anyone jealous of what you have, it must be so great it's beyond belief. That means Jewish people need to see what you have is something so fantastic and appealing that they must have it themselves.

However, in order for Christians to truly provoke Israel to jealousy, there needs to be a change in the way we see ourselves. This calls for a paradigm shift in the Christian mindset. We do not want to change who we are as new creations in Messiah/Christ, but we need to see ourselves as wild olive branches that have been grafted on to the cultivated olive tree which is their tree ("their tree" meaning the olive tree is figuratively Israel).

This change of mindset will make our message so much more powerful in that our appeal to Jewish people will not be that they need to "become one of us" but rather that we have "become one of them!" This will open many Jewish hearts and is part of the truth that will set multitudes of Jewish people free.

If you desire to read more and become equipped to be the generation of Christians to fulfill Rom. 11:11 and to receive a free download of the e-book, Five Steps to Provoke Israel (the Jewish people) to Jealousy. Please click on this link. Once there, click on ebook. 

Grant Berry is a Jewish believer in Yeshua/Jesus and author of The New Covenant Prophecy and The Ezekiel Generation. He founded Reconnecting Ministries with the specific focus to help the church reconnect spiritually to Israel and considers it vital to the kingdom of G-d in the last days. His message focuses on the unity, love and healing that the Father wants to bring between Jew and Gentile, yet clearly points out the differences and misunderstandings between the two groups. Now is the time to look more carefully into this mystery to make way for healing and reconnection in the Spirit. For more information, please visit reconnectingministries.org. 

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The Lord is Releasing New Mantles in 2017 by Lana Vawser Identity Network

The Lord is Releasing New Mantles in 2017 by Lana Vawser

Identity Network

 

Soaking is a huge key in 2017 to see and experience the greater weight of His glory.

 

As I spent time with the Lord recently I had a vision where I saw encounters with Jesus happening right across the body of Christ where the Lord was specifically releasing new mantles upon His people. These new mantles were for the new season that we are entering into as the body of Christ.

 

He is looking for those chasing His heart and humility.

 

The first thing I noticed was His eyes, He was looking, His eyes were roaming through the body of Christ and instantly I knew what He was looking for.  He was looking for those chasing after His heart simply to know Him and humility!

 

New Mantles

 

I then noticed that these mantles when placed upon many of God's people, it was like they had rivers of water rushing within them, yet they were burning with fire at the same time.

 

I felt the Lord saying that these new mantles will bring great refreshing to those who receive it and refreshing will flow from them to others. The fire upon these mantles was such deep revelation of His love and the purity He is releasing through these anointings.

 

As the Lord was releasing these new mantles I saw Him smiling and He spoke "These new mantles are for the significant increase that is upon you in this new season of 2017. There will be greater capacity and greater grace." I also saw the words significant strategic strategy and felt the Lord say that as these new mantles are released there will be clarity and wisdom releasing significant strategic strategy to know how to operate in these new mantles.

 

Soaking is a Huge Key for 2017

 

I then heard the words "I am releasing these new mantles in 2017 and soaking will be a huge key to see and experience the greater weight of My Glory and living from this realm will see greater ease, explosive increase of favor and fruitfulness manifest. 2016 has been a year of great weight (heaviness) and waiting for many of My people, 2017 will be a year where as you soak and wait upon me, you will see the weight of my glory in a way you have never seen or experienced."

 

"So much will change in My glory! Soaking is a strategic key in 2017 for My people in moving into greater realms of manifested victory!"

 

Guard Your Hearts Against Jealousy and Competition

 

"Guard your hearts against jealousy and competition for the enemy will attempt to stir up issues of the soul and woundings to tempt God's people to move in jealousy at the mantles and favor that I am releasing. Keep checks on your hearts and inviting Me into those deep places to bring healing. Bless and celebrate those around you while waiting for your breakthrough and watch and see what I will do for you!!! Entertaining jealousy and competition will cause a delay! Stay in My presence and worship and I will reveal My love to you and your identity in new ways that will see jealousy find no place!!!!"

 

The "Queen of Sheba" will be Drawn to You

 

"There will be tremendous acceleration in 2017 and there is a temptation to be overwhelmed, but do not let yourself get caught up in busyness, but know that as you prioritize time to soak you will see greater fruitfulness in our intimacy and you will hear Me clearly amongst the acceleration, you will see your capacity increase, you will live with greater peace, you will see greater manifested victory and you will see greater amounts of fruit for little effort. Excellence in Me will be seen in significant ways that will draw the Queen of Sheba to You! In the prioritized time to soak in the secret place, you will see Isaiah 22:22 explode before you! But you will not be overwhelmed by these doors, because as you have soaked in My presence and spent time with Me, I have given you strategy before the doors even appear to you!!!"

 

Soaking is a huge key in 2017!

 

Lana Vawser

www.lanavawser.com

 

Go here to read more articles by Lana Vawser.

 

 

 

 

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Did You Learn to Love? by Kari Browning

Did You Learn to Love? 

Kari Browning

The Identity Network

"So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well."  (Philippians 1:9, The Message)

Did you learn to love?

This was the question that Bob Jones was asked when he died and went to heaven on August 8, 1975.

If we want to learn to love, we must become emotionally mature. We must put away, or render inoperative, childish ways.  (1 Corinthians 13:11)

Many of us find ourselves "stuck" in behaviors that are rooted in fear, not love.  Like the apostle Paul, we find ourselves behaving in ways that we do not want to. (Romans 7:22-25)

Many believers, including leaders, are bound by rejection, jealousy, anger, insecurity, bitterness, pride, fear, and other toxic emotions. Many have become addicted to drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, food, etc.
   

Oftentimes, these toxic emotions and addictions are rooted in emotional hurts or unmet love needs.

How Do We Become "Unstuck?" 

How do we release toxic emotions and come into a place of mature love? How do we get our love needs met in legitimate ways?

I believe we find the answers to these questions in both counseling and community. We need to get our love needs met in healthy community, and we also may need the help of someone skilled in healing the brokenhearted to help us identify and release toxic emotions and negative core beliefs and expectations.

When we experience an emotional hurt, we oftentimes form negative core beliefs and expectations. These beliefs and expectations usually are not conscious, but they are very powerful. They can even cause us to be drawn to people and situations that will reinforce these beliefs and expectations.

For instance, a woman who is raised by an abusive father may develop an expectation that "all men will abuse me" and may form a belief that she has no value.  She finds herself drawn to one abusive relationship after another, and that expectation becomes her reality. If she feels that she has no value, she will continue to allow people to abuse her.

Emotional Overreactions

When someone experiences emotional hurts and does not release the pain associated with them, they may find themselves in situations that "trigger" the painful repressed memories. When this happens, an emotional overreaction usually occurs.

When we find ourselves overreacting in situations, we need to discover the root issue causing this. We will need to release the pain that has been repressed in a healthy and productive way. If we don't, we often lash out at others, isolate, medicate ourselves, or go to food, drugs, sex, etc. for comfort.  

When we've been hurt, we often put up a wall of self-protection around our heart. This wall keeps us from giving or receiving love fully.

The early Church leaders understood the connection between the body and the soul. (3 John 1:2) They understood that toxic emotions are at the root of many physical illnesses. (Proverbs 17:22)

Healing in Spirit, Soul and Body

They used the "laying on of hands" and natural remedies to bring healing to both soul and body. When someone was sick, they called for the leaders of the Church to anoint them with oils.  Anoint means "to rub" or "massage."  (James 5:14-15)

I believe the early Church leaders were trained in what oils to use for particular emotions and sicknesses. There are over 1,000 references in the Bible to oils or the plants that they are derived from.

Those coming for prayer also confessed their sins and released guilt and shame. (James 5:16) Guilt can sometimes cause physical pain as people unconsciously seek to punish themselves for the wrongs they have done. I have seen physical pain instantly leave a body when guilt was released and forgiveness was received.

Jesus came to heal us spirit, soul, and body. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

The ancient paths are being restored (Jeremiah 6:16) and we are learning how to love.

Kari Browning

New Renaissance Healing & Creativity Center

www.newrenaissance.us

kari@newrenaissance.us

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