Even the Simple Things - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Even the Simple Things

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“What's the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail — even numbering the hairs on your head! So don't be intimidated by all this bully talk. You're worth more than a million canaries.” (Matthew 10:29-31 THE MESSAGE)

The phone call came about 6 pm that Wednesday evening. I had missed the earlier text. My oldest daughter Hannah, eight months pregnant with her first-born Levi, had been in a car accident. She was okay. But her two year old Hyundai Elantra was totaled, trapped between three other stopped cars when rear ended by a high school senior football player who was texting. He was going 40 mph when he slammed into the string of cars, as the eye witness said. The 18 year old hadn’t seen the red light.

Remembering back, Laurie was eight months pregnant with Hannah when, while driving our Chrysler station wagon, was surely thinking about the upcoming Christmas holiday, and didn’t see the red light. Result? Two cars totaled – ours and the other. That was in late December of 1983 in East Lansing, Michigan. Again, a red light missed. 

The devil hates all of our Lord’s creation, especially the unborn, and will try to kill them anyway he can. (Hannah was surprised when we told her about that time, after her accident.)

This time around, Laurie rode with Hannah in the ambulance to the hospital. Hannah was not hurt, bless the Lord, but they wanted to make sure Levi had not been traumatized. Six hours later the word came back that all was good.

But then Hannah needed another car. So the following Monday, after getting off from my office job, I was available to help her in her quest for one. We stopped at Hardee’s to get a sandwich, and then onto the car dealer. Her blessing from the Lord came soon. Though what the enemy of our souls meant for evil, death and destruction, the Lord had other plans. Hannah drove her new crossover vehicle home. It would be big enough for a new stroller and more, for her family of four.

On Tuesday morning I went to get my keys to make the 6 am, 14 mile drive to work in uptown Charlotte. But my keys were not in the usual spot. I looked all over, prayed, looked, prayed, and looked again. In the car, in the bedroom, in the living room chairs; even in the garbage, thinking maybe they fell out of my IDF (Israel Defense Force) fleece jacket when I took out the trash. Nada. Nothing.

The security guard let me into the office, being no other staff would arrive until two hours later for daily work. But with no key to open my desk drawers, I thought my day wouldn’t be too productive. A few times the word “garbage” came to me, so I again checked our recycle bin and the home dumpster when I got home from work. Nothing. Just dirty hands.

So I took the dumpster to the street curb for the weekly early morning pick up the next day. That night I searched again for the lost keys. Nothing. No one else had seen them. I knew I would have to get copies of the six keys that I had on the Messianic One New Man symbol key ring bought in Israel, if not found. What a pain. So the search continued with no good results.

At 5:55 am on Wednesday morning, before I used our spare key to drive to work, I said to the Holy Spirit, “You know where those keys are. Please tell me.” Again the word “garbage” came to me. I got a flashlight and walked to the dumpster on the curb, hoping any neighbors also leaving for work at that early time wouldn’t see me and think I was a garbage picker. (I didn’t have a hoodie or hat on, just to make extra sure of that.) The garbage truck would come within an hour or so.

The thought came to look for the Hardee bag. Why not? So I did. It was just a bit down in the dumpster bin pile. I pulled out hamburger wrappings and an empty shake plastic cup (strawberry if you want to know) to get to the bottom. And there, as they had been for the past 36 hours, were my keys! Hallelujah Lord!!! Why I had not seen them before I may never know. But He does, and the rest is left in His hands.

I quickly wrote a joyous note to Laurie, letting her know of even this simple thing the Holy Spirit did for me, and then drove on to work. And yes, I shared the good news story with the 27 year old security guard James. I wouldn’t need his door opening assistance again.

The Lord cares all about us. He cares for our spirit, He cares for our body, He cares for our soul. He even cares about our lost keys. If we seek Him, He will show us the way.

I bless the Lord and will daily call upon His Name. He is our salvation, which is the meaning of His Name, Yeshua (Jesus) in Hebrew. Thank you Lord!

Now think on this, with His love and mine. And if you lose your keys, ask the Holy Spirit to help!

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People, Inc.

 

My note to Laurie that morning:

   Note: It was actually a Hardee’s bag, not Burger King.

Especially at this end of year time, we sure could use your help to bless the families we do in Israel, India, Pakistan, Vietnam and the hurting ones here in the USA. Please give 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.)

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Email: loveforhispeople@gmail.com  

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Now Think On This - In the year of our Lord 12.23.15 - #223 –“Even the Simple Things” – Wednesday at 7:30 pm

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

"Keys of Strategy Are Turning Concern to Confirm" and "A 2016 Word For Your Family!" Lana Vawser, Brisbane, Australia - The Elijah List

"Keys of Strategy Are Turning Concern to Confirm" and "A 2016 Word For Your Family!"

Lana Vawser, Brisbane, Australia

The Elijah List

On a recent morning the Lord was showing me "keys of strategy" that He is releasing through prayer. This is the second or third time this year that the Lord has shown me these keys. When I asked the Lord why He was showing me again, He began showing me many who were feeling "stuck," that they have tried "so many different avenues" and nothing has seemed to break open and highlight the way forward.

As the Lord was releasing these "keys of strategy," I saw many with a very shocked look on their faces. It wasn't what they expected, and as the Lord handed them the key, He smiled and spoke, "This key is going to bring about a 'great rearrange', but keep moving forward, for the Great Rearrange is moving you onto a new page."

These keys of strategy, even though they may not "look like" what you expected, are actually going to lead you into a huge new beginning. They are actually unlocking the "shift of season." 

(Photo by Lillis Boyer "Springs of Life Key" via elijahshopper.com)

The Lord then spoke again, "I am going to turn'concern to confirm'. Where many are concerned about these keys of strategy because they are so 'out of left field,' I am going to begin bringingsupernatural confirmation – confirmation in a way that only I could confirm. These keys may not be what you expect, but they are going toresurrect things of old and implement things of the new. Double portion for you."

Trust Him with the key He has given you. Stay prayerful and watch and see the radical, fun confirmation He is going to release to you to turn your concern into confirm.

"I Am the Key for Your Family"

In a vision I was walking past many houses, and these houses were lit up with the glory of God. But, as I walked past many of the houses, I could hear sobbing – a deep sobbing – coming from inside the houses. Instantly I knew that these houses represented families in the Kingdom; there were many crying out for a "strategy" to bring healing, breakthrough, freedom, and restoration to their families.

In this vision Jesus was standing next to me and, with such sadness and tears in His eyes, He spoke, "Many families are feeling like they have been left in ruins by the enemy's schemes and the brokenness that he has brought upon them. 

I have heard every prayer, I have caught every tear, and now I am coming to repair, rebuild, and restore to better than before – a divine turnaround in family!" I could feel the heartache in His heart for the pain, sorrow, loss, and betrayal many families have faced, but I could also feel the hope of what was to come. (Photo via Pixabay)

Suddenly, the Lord spoke these words that He had spoke to me in my dream at the start of the week, again:

"I am moving in as the Kinsman Redeemer."

I saw Him moving into houses that were crying out to Him for healing, for restoration, for deliverances, for freedom, for rebuilding and restoration. As He moved through room after room, person after person, I saw Him pull out scrolls, and they contained all the prayers prayed concerning families and family members.

He ministered individually and corporately in these houses, leading many in prayers to forgive one another, removing trauma, imparting vision and hope for the future concerning the family unit through sharing the dreams in His heart for them. Some rooms He moved into He closed the door, and I could not see what He was doing, but I knew it was a deep, private, beautiful moment with many. He was going into places in the heart that many within families were so afraid for other family members or anyone to see.

2016: A Year of Prodigals Coming Home and Family Restoration!

As He walked out of one house, the sobbing turned to loud laughter. He turned and looked at me, and with a smile and tears in His eyes, He began to share His heart:

"Joy will return to many homes again.Laughter and honor are being restored. The time for unprecedented miracles infamilies has arrived." 

(Photo by Jennifer Page "His Joy" via elijahshopper.com)

"Next year, 2016 will be a year of many prodigals coming home!"

He then began to share with me how He is doing a deep work in families right now and it is going to hit a point of acceleration and increase next year. Next year will be a year of greater restoration of family! 

One of the waves of revival to be poured out across the earth is going to be released in unprecedented ways through the testimony of the restoration of the family units.

Lana Vawser
Email: lanavawser@gmail.com
Website: lanavawser.com
facebook.com/pages/Lana-Vawser/212479638795197

Lana Vawser is an active member of the Australian Prophetic Council and releases prophetic words for the Body of Christ and nations, and is featured regularly on The Elijah List and in Charisma Magazine. She is also an itinerant preacher and revivalist who is travelling regularly with her family seeing powerful moves of God. 

Lana has a strong, prophetic voice and has a heart to see the Body of Christ develop deep intimacy with Jesus and actively hear His voice each day. She also has a heart to see people set free and walk in all that Jesus has purchased for them as they carry Christ into their world each day, awakened to His nature and who they are in Him. Lana is married to Kevin, and they are living in Brisbane, Australia with their two sons.

To subscribe to The Elijah List go to:http://elijahlist.com/subscribe

"Keys to Open Up Blessings" and "Don't Agree with the Plans of Darkness" - Doug Addison

"Keys to Open Up Blessings" and "Don't Agree with the Plans of Darkness"

Doug Addison, Los Angeles, CA

The Elijah List

Have you heard any of the negative rumors that people are saying about how the economy and the Stock Market are going to crash? Have you heard people saying that God is judging the world? Some people are actually saying that God is about to shake the world to its core and that God will use this crash to transfer the wealth of the wicked into the hands of the righteous (Proverbs 13:22).

For this reason they are pulling their money out of the market and storing up finances. This is not what God is calling us to do right now. This kind of thinking is driven by spiritual pride and instills fear in people. 

We have to be careful that we don't buy into this and actually cause the economy to crash from self-fulfilling prophecies and activities.

What I am hearing from God is that yes, there are difficult times and turmoil happening even now. People are misinterpreting what they are hearing and seeing. This is not the destruction or judgment level of a total worldwide crash.

I heard God clearly and have been releasing prophetic words that we are in a seven-year season to prepare for repayment and blessing. God is bringing a window of opportunity to finance Kingdom projects needed to bring a long overdue revival and awakening. (Photo via Doug Addison)

Keys to Blessings

God is trying to shake us awake to the fact that we hold the keys to life. We have the keys to blessing, and we can change the spiritual atmosphere, but we have to come into agreement with it. Instead people are agreeing with the plan of darkness to destroy us before our appointed time. This is the very reason that revivals are being delayed.

Reality is that loving people is a major key to this next move of God. 

I remember the late prophet Bob Jones would talk about the one billion-soul harvest. Every time he talked about it he would say, "It is going to cost a lot of money because this group is young and broke." This is the very reason it is not the season to pull back financially. 

We need to get God's strategies for Kingdom financial blessings.

How to Change the Atmosphere

We need to understand and regularly practice the positive spiritual principles of praying for those who curse us, loving those who hate us, giving to those in need, helping the oppressed, being humble, forgiving those who offend us... the list is actually too long to show here, but you get the picture. Notice that most of these principles are relationally-oriented. They teach us how to relate with others and with God.

We can change the spiritual atmosphere around us by loving, blessing, and being an encouragement everywhere we go. Many people love God, but when no one is looking, they can be guilty of mistreating or being mean to people.

The fun part of focusing on blessing people is that, if you do these things regularly, the principle of sowing and reaping will eventually kick in. Your life will be overflowing with many of the good things that you gave out to others, to the point that you cannot help but change the world around you.

Matthew 16:19 NET "I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in Heaven, and whatever you release on earth will have been released in Heaven."

These words of Jesus tell us that there are things we can do on earth that can actually restrict the heavenly flow of blessings and creativity to us. And there are positive actions we can take on earth that can open up the heavens around us.

This is a time to be aligned with God's plan and intention for your life. It's not a time to pull back in fear but instead to be the key to blessing people. As we do, the windows of Heaven will be opened over us.

Blessings,

Doug Addison
InLight Connection

Email: respond@dougaddison.com
Website: DougAddison.com

Doug Addison is a prophetic dream interpreter, speaker, writer, Life Coach, and stand-up comedian. Doug travels the world bringing a message of love, hope, and having fun! His unique style helps open people to discover their destiny and experience God's supernatural love and power. Doug and his wife Linda live in Los Angeles, California.

To subscribe to The Elijah List go to:http://elijahlist.com/subscribe

Your Gifts Will Open Doors: A Promise From God - Paulette Reed

Paulette Reed:

Your Gifts Will Open Doors: 

A Promise From God

(The Elijah List)

God-Given Gifts

The Bible assures us that every single person on earth has at least one – and probably several – God-given gifts placed inside of them to be used for God's glory. When we entered this world, God already had a plan for us and gave us the gifts we needed to fulfill our destinies.

When God called Jeremiah, He reassured him by saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations" (Jeremiah 1:5). 

God knew what Jeremiah was called to do and gave him the necessary gifts to fulfill that call even before he was born. God formed you in the womb too! 

He knows what you are called to do and has placed the perfect gifts inside of you to fulfill your destiny.

The apostle Paul assures us that each of us within the Body of Christ have different gifts that are a response to God's grace: "Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly..." (Romans 12:6).

And Peter reminded his readers that they were on earth to glorify God through the use of their gifts: "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 4:10-11).

Keys To Open Doors

It's a great idea to ask yourself at the beginning of each year, "What is my vision? What is my destiny, and how am I to reach it?" 

Asking these questions will help us focus on God's plan and purpose for our lives. In response to each of these questions, it is important for us to set reachable goals that we can achieve with the Lord's help. Remember, if we don't have a target, we're not aiming at anything. And if we're not aiming at anything, we won't even know if we hit the mark because we don't know what we're aiming at.

As we step into 2014, which is the Year of the Open Door, let's return to the basics of the Gospel. Each of us should ponder these questions: 

What are our gifts from Heaven? Do we know what God has placed in us to fulfill His plan? Do we know what our part in that plan is? It's important for us to identify our gifts because they are the keys that open doors and bring us into our divine destiny. 

Proverbs 18:16 promises us, "A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men."

We can be sure that our gifts will play an integral part to fulfilling our God-given dreams. It's sad to watch people when they don't understand this connection. They begin to look for things in the world to fulfill their desires rather than looking to God. 

Unfortunately, most end up frustrated at best, and discouraged at worst. However, when we learn to walk in our God-given gifts, we are not only content with our vocations, but we become passionate about them as well.

The Rhythm of Heaven

It's true that education is good and beneficial for the fulfillment of many of our dreams. But the Word of God does not tell us that education will make room for us. Don't get me wrong here: Education is important and sometimes we can only walk through certain open doors because of our education. But the Bible is very clear that it is our gifts that make room for us. After all, we could earn multiple Master's degrees, but they may not help a bit if we don't know our true Master.

I like how 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NLT) helps keep us humble:

"Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world's eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. 

And He chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God."

Beloved, our gifts from God bring us joy, peace, and success. It's when we learn to operate in them like a well-oiled machine, and are led by the Holy Spirit, that we can flow with the rhythm of Heaven.

Kingdom Finances

Here's another exciting aspect about our gifts. Not only will they open doors for us, but they can also bring us the finances we need to fulfill our destinies. When we use our gifts wisely for the Lord, He will give us favor so finances will be freely given to us, so that we can keep advancing the Kingdom of God. 

In other words, once the gift of God within us is activated, it can become a usable commodity that ushers in promotion. Daniel is the perfect example of this godly concept when he used his gifts to interpret King Nebuchadnezzar's dream:

"Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and did homage to Daniel, and gave orders to present to him an offering and fragrant incense. The king answered Daniel and said, 'Surely your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery.' Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts, and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon" (Daniel 2:46-48).

Practicing Our Gifts

After discovering our God-given gifts, it then becomes our responsibility to continually practice using them. 

God has called each of us to exercise our gifts so they become strong. 

Just like we will never reach our health goals without exercising regularly, so we may never reach our life goals if we don't exercise our gifts regularly. When we practice our gifts, we'll become more confident in our identity in Christ, thus fulfilling His plan and purpose for us.

And might I suggest here that we stay focused on "our" gifts and let the Lord bring other gifts around us. For example, I remember years ago when I was serving a brilliant author. I was helping take his writings and organize them into sequenced trainings. 

One day I looked at the leader and said, "We need to pray that the Lord gives you the gift of administration!" He looked directly at me, smiled, and said, "He did...she's sitting right there." It was a prophetic moment in my life that I didn't forget. 

God will bring other people (they are gifts themselves, and they also have various gifts) around us to connect the dots on the road to destiny.

Often times people get stalled in the pursuit of dreams because they're waiting for some man or woman to open doors for them. But listen! God has a better plan for you. He has given you the keys to open doors to your future – those keys are your gifts. And the gifts inside of you are perfect because they are what God determined for you to have even before you were born.

When we wisely use our God-given gifts, they bring God glory and bring us before kings. Let's take the time to do a spiritual inventory, asking God to strengthen and use our gifts for His glory. After all, it's not just about the gifts; it's about worshiping and honoring the Gift-Giver – His name is Jesus. He gave us the greatest gift ever...the gift of eternal life to all who will receive it.

Paulette Reed
Prophetic Arrow Ministries

Email: info@propheticarrow.org
Website: propheticarrow.org

Paulette Reed is a powerful preacher, prophetic minister, encourager, and author. She is a full-time revivalist/evangelist. Her passion is to share the love of Christ and unite people to the inexplicable love of our Heavenly Father, exhorting them to arise and shine! 

She is an extremely accurate prophetess who has been raised up to bring hope and healing to the Body of Christ. Without a vision the people perish, so the Lord is using this handmaiden as His mouthpiece to speak forth individual and corporate vision, catapulting people into their destinies. Paulette loves to see God's people awakened and proclaim the active extension of the Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven. She ministers in the revival anointing accompanied by revelatory ministry, healing, miracles, signs and wonders.