“Condemn You?” - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

“Condemn You?”

“She said, "No one, Lord. And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." (John 8:11, NKJV)

Dear family of friends,

In January of 2014 I watched a taped recording of the Larry King NOW show, because his guest was Joel Olsteen. I like Joel. Many times he had encouraged me when I watched his weekly TV program broadcast from Lakewood Church in Houston, TX.

On a few occasions I was able to attend the Sunday morning service personally. After one meeting, when people were invited to meet him, I did. He and his wife Victoria were very nice. As I said, I like Joel.

I didn’t know Joel was going to be on Larry’s show. I didn’t even know Larry had a show anymore, after he no longer did the Larry King Live series. But due to the Charisma magazine e-mail notice I did receive, and the caption with Joel, I checked it out.

The actual headline of the website article proclaimed, “Joel Osteen Discusses Why He Won't Preach Against Homosexuality” (1/15/2014, CHARISMA MAGAZINE). The TV program was actually quite good, and a lot more than what the headline had just stated. Joel gave honest, forth right answers. Did I say I like Joel yet?

If you are as I, many of you work in a “secular” job" - as in “not full time ministry”. (Actually, I did that for 24 years – in full time Christian ministry. I am very grateful for that time serving the Lord in that capacity and atmosphere, for the most part.) On these secular jobs we have now, there may be some who are not totally saved as we would like them to be. Yes, it is true. Many are not as us. It is though, in my daily prayers, that they will know the Savior Lord Jesus, as well as the Father and the Holy Spirit.

When I shared the website link to Larry and Joel’s time talking, on my Love For His People blog, which then, due to modern technology, gets reposted to my two Facebook, four Twitter, Google+, and other social media accounts automatically, the comments began. Some were judgmental, in response to the headlines on homosexuality. (I assumed they didn't take the time to actually watch the show, given the swift judgement.) “Joel is a heathen! Joel is a false teacher and leads many astray!” 2 Timothy was also quoted, about “turning away from the truth”…and so on.

My heart goes out to the ones that Jesus died for. I pray for the opportunity to share His love for them, for likeyou and I, they need the Savior too – to free them from a lifestyle of sin, hurt, and eternity apart from the Lord’s presence. And as He has given me a marketplace job, which happens to be in the midst of some of these who are “not saved”, I am continually asking Him how I can be His light in their world.

At the top of this letter I quoted from John 8:11. The preceding verses are as written, “Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?"  This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him.

But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first."  And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.

Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last.

And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." (John 8:1-11, NKJV)

I like Joel. I love Jesus. And I love those whom He has set in place amongst me on the job. I need His heart and wisdom even more to express that love to them, so they too can know He does not condemn them, but wants them to know Him also.

I am convinced He will be with me in doing that.

Ahava to my family of friends,

Steve Martin

Founder, Love For His People

P.S. This is my 100th Ahava Love Letter. Thank you Lord!

P.S.S. Here is the Charisma article and Larry King NOW TV show link. 
Click here: Charisma Magazine with Larry King & Joel Olsteen

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858.

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Ahava Love Letter #100   “Condemn You?”   Steve Martin 

Date: In the year of our Lord 2014 (01.16.14) Thursday at 6:30 pm in Charlotte, NC).

All previous editions of Ahava Love Letter can be found on this Blog, and our newest website: https://www.www.ahavaloveletters.blogspot.com

Identity Network - Prophetic Word for 2014 by Doug Addison

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A New Gate will Open in Heaven
Doug Addison

God is opening a gateway into the heavenly realm in 2014 for deeper revelation and greater power. This is the start of a new season and the drought we have been experiencing in the Kingdom over the last few years is now over. 

Expect an increase in your spiritual gifts, dreams, visions and supernatural encounters. This will open the opportunity for you to step up to a new level and see results for your efforts. 

"After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, 'Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.'" 

Revelation 4:1 

Three Moves of God 

We will see the start of a new move of God that will come in phases over the next few years. This year God is breaking a spiritual drought we have been in since 2008. I had a dream where an angel came and told me the humidity level right now is at eight, which is the number of new beginnings. 

"For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants." 

Isaiah 44:3  

The first part of this new movement of God will involve a time of refreshment for those who are weary. You will experience mini-renewals of His presence and gifts in your life. Many people have been suffering from hope deferred for so long that they need to soften up and be recharged. 

The second part of this movement will be a new rain of the Holy Spirit that will come upon those that are seeking all that God has for them. This movement will look very strange, as all types of people will begin to be drawn to God. In the midst of this, a new generation will begin to awaken to God's love, power and acceptance. 

The next phase will bring God's power like we have not experienced before. This will be a new level of God's fiery presence and healing. This is a start of a new healing movement with miracles, signs, wonders, and deeper revelation. 

Prophetic Words from 2009 

God showed me that many prophetic words from the year 2009 that were intended to be fulfilled in 2010 were actually delayed until now. I went back, checked my journal and sure enough I found many prophetic words in 2009 that never came about that are happening right now. 

I also got a confirming email from a friend whose prophetic word that I gave in 2009 is now beginning to happen. Go to your journal and look for prophecies or dreams from 2009. Get ready for them to unfold now at a greater level. 

Reconciliation Instead of Accusation 

The spirit of accusation has been dominating the Church for the past few years making an unhealthy environment. When we accuse others without trying to find solutions, we must be careful that we are not coming into agreement with darkness over a person instead of God's purposes. One of the names given to Satan is the accuser of believers (Revelation 12:10). 

We need to be very careful to not accuse others but build them up instead. God is releasing a spirit of reconciliation to offset the strong negative accusation. There are many Bible verses that talk about blessing people instead of cursing them (Romans 12:14). 

"All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." 

2 Corinthians 5:18 

Happy Birthday 

This year everyone will receive a new gift from God on his or her birthday. This might be a greater measure of the gifts you already have, new gifts of healing, prophecy, serving, etc. So get ready to receive birthday presents with a greater level of God's presence. You can expect a present of God's presence. 

Gifts and Callings Rearranged 

In the same spirit of giving, this year God is freeing up gifts and callings that have been given to people who have stopped using them or from people who have gone to Heaven. Many of these spiritual gifts and callings will be given to those who have been humble, seeking God and have not built themselves up or have operated in pride. 

God is lifting up those who have been humble. Some of them are the least expected. Those who receive these gifts and callings will have a sudden acceleration in their life, ministry or businesses. But people who have been building their lives, ministries and using others for their own gain will experience decline. God's love is still with them but they will no longer have the edge they once had. 

Jezebel Spirit Exposed 

2014 will be a year that the Jezebel spirit will be exposed throughout the church, government, and businesses. People who have been operating with this divisive and dividing spirit will be revealed. God will be revealing a new strategy to remove the grips and tentacles of the Jezebel spirit which has resisted and hindered previous moves of God over and over. 

God's New Agenda

God has an agenda this year to bring healing and reconciliation to people who have been wounded or rejected by Christians. There is such a large number of people who have been wounded by Christianity. This should not be. God's love is for everyone and we must show it to those who need it the most. 

Quite often these are the ones who might be offended by this or have different viewpoints. God is drawing in the spiritual outcasts right now and dragging a net along the bottom that will pull up people from all walks of life. 

In order to be part of God's agenda we must love unconditionally and be willing to walk with people who have been rejected and wounded. Love and lots of grace is required to be part of this new move coming to the spiritually outcasts. 

Yes, God is on the move among the tattooed and pierced, those who are into zombies and vampires, gay and lesbians, new age people, and those of various political parties that are currently not accepted by many Christians. God is moving powerfully among women and promoting many into positions of new authority. 

Financial Ruin has been Broken 

Five years ago the US and much of the world experienced a great financial downturn. One of the largest bankruptcies in U.S. history occurred in September of 2008. We will now see a five-year turnaround from that downturn. God is opening up opportunities right now for people to be repaid for any losses during that time. 

Also, there are kingdom financial strategies being released from Heaven that will radically turn your financial situation around if you listen and act. 

It is important to not pay attention to negative reports or get caught up in believing we are all going down. This is a time to take action and it is very similar to what Isaac experienced in Genesis chapter 26. During a great famine on Earth, Isaac listened to God and took a different direction than what most people were doing at the time. In verse 12 it says that he reaped 100 times during the famine. 

Genesis 26:12 "Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him." 

2014 is a year of God's mercy upon us. God is promoting people who have loved, shown mercy and not cut down others or driven them deeper into darkness. This is an exciting time to be alive because if you have suffered, experienced losses or repeated attacks of the enemy, God is repaying you right now. All you have to do is ask and respond. Walk through the new golden gates being opened! 

Here's to a year of breakthrough and turnaround. May God richly bless you with every gift you need to succeed this year. 

Doug Addison

www.dougaddison.com

Understand Your Dreams Now

Spiritual Dream Interpretation

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By Doug Addison
Price: $14.99
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The Painful Truth About Gay Pleasure - J. Lee Grady (Charisma Magazine)

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The Painful Truth About Gay Pleasure - J. Lee Grady

I’ve never hunted ducks, and I’ve never watched Duck Dynasty, so I didn’t rush to defend Phil Robertson last month after the bearded reality TV star sparked an uproar with his comments about homosexuality. I do believe everyone is entitled to their opinion about religion, so I was amazed that people were calling for Robertson’s head just because he dared to quote a Bible verse that says homosexuals (along with adulterers, fornicators, idolaters and swindlers) won’t go to heaven.

The Duck Dynasty hullabaloo proved many things: (1) A lot of people in America today love to make fun of conservative Southerners; (2) conservative Southerners might need some coaching on how to express their views in the media; and (3) if you dare to say that gay sex is contrary to God’s moral law, you’d better be ready to hide in a Louisiana bayou because people are going to get really, really angry.

Phil Robertson made his remarks in his own backwoods way. He said: “It seems like, to me, a vagina—as a man—would be more desirable than a man’s anus. That’s just me. I’m just thinking: There’s more there! She’s got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I’m saying? But hey, sin: It’s not logical, my man. It’s just not logical.”

OK, so maybe it’s not the most sensitive way to say that gay sex is not God’s plan. But I’m glad Robertson and GQ magazine opened this can of worms. We need some honest dialogue about this topic.

I counsel men and women who struggle with same-sex attraction. Most of them are Christians who know homosexuality is not God’s will for their lives, and they want the Holy Spirit’s help to live in purity. They want to please God, and they don’t want to live in gay relationships. But they crave spiritual guidance and loving acceptance as they learn to resist temptation.

As a minister, I owe them respect and compassion—and if I really love them, I will tell them the truth. When I talk with guys, I always address the gory details about gay sex that many Christians today won’t mention. (WARNING: These points are not for the squeamish.) If we don’t talk about this stuff in church, more people with same-sex attraction are going to assume we have no answers.

1. Gay sex is against nature. 

People who believe in God also believe He created human bodies. He designed every part of us, including our genitals. The first chapter of Genesis is clear that God created male and female and that He not only did this for procreation (v. 28) but also for sexual pleasure (Gen. 2:24-25). Even the most amateur biology student knows that a penis was made for a vagina and that the act of heterosexual intercourse is the only form of sexual activity that results in conception. The only way to make a baby is with a sperm and an egg.

When a man has sex with another man, or a woman with another woman, they will experience bonding, deep affection and intense physical pleasure. But nowhere does the Bible say pleasure alone is a sign of God’s approval or blessing. Some pleasure is outside God’s boundaries. This is why Paul warned Timothy that in the last days, people would be “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Tim. 3:4, NASB). Just because it feels good does not mean you should do it!

2. Anal sex is very unhealthy. 

Doctors will tell you that the anus is very different from the vagina. Penetration of the anus by a penis can lead to tearing of rectal tissue, bleeding and infection. Because the anus is full of bacteria, anal intercourse spreads the human papillovirus and can result in anal warts, anal cancer, HIV and other diseases. It can also result in bowel incontinence. When anal sex is combined with oral contact, disease is even more likely. Yet despite these concerns, about 90 percent of male homosexuals participate in anal intercourse. Condoms can offer some protection, but they aren’t foolproof. Anal sex is high-risk behavior.

3. Any form of immorality separates us from God. 

The apostle Paul was blunt in his description of homosexuality in the first century. He wrote in Romans 1:27, “Men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error” (NIV). God offers mercy, forgiveness and healing to anyone who wants to be free from immorality. But those who continue to live in sexual sin will become slaves to that sin—and in the end they will be eternally separated from God.

God is not homophobic. He understands why people feel confused or broken in their sexuality. He offers the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ to anyone, no matter their sexual history or their sexual inclinations. He invites us to join Him in a journey toward healing. But those who want a relationship with Him must, like all true disciples, deny their own desires, take up their cross and follow Him.

J. Lee Grady is the former editor of Charisma and the director of the Mordecai Project (themordecaiproject.org). You can follow him on Twitter at @leegrady. He is the author of 10 Lies Men Believe and other books.

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Anti-Faith Sentiment Growing at Alarming Rate

By Paul Strand
CBN News Washington Sr. Correspondent
Tuesday, October 15, 2013

WASHINGTON -- Hostility against Christian Americans is growing at an alarming rate, according to a new survey from the Family Research Council and Liberty Institute.

The Liberty Institute's Jeff Mateer noted that while last year's survey was based on 600 cases, "this survey that we're releasing right now is almost 1,200. So we've almost doubled in just one year."

Audrey Jarvis

One such case involved college student Audrey Jarvis, who was asked twice to remove her cross, or at least hide it, at a student orientation.

"My supervisor came up to me out of nowhere and asked me to remove my cross necklace because he thought it would be offensive to incoming freshmen," she recalled.

Jarvis received an apology from her college, but couldn't forget how hurtful the man was who found her cross so objectionable.

"I think he was just kind of ignorant to the fact that his words could offend me in attempting to not offend somebody else," she said.

In another case, Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Phillip Monk got in trouble with his lesbian commanding officer when she ordered him to answer how he felt about gay marriage.

"This is about religious freedom because I expressly stated that I had a religious conviction that wouldn't allow me to answer the question the way it was posed to me," Monk said.

Former NFL running back Craig James found himself a victim of growing anti-faith sentiment when just one hour into a new job as a FOX Sports analyst, he was booted off the air.

James and the Liberty Institute insist it was because a top network manager disapproved of a statement James made about gay marriage 15 months before in a political debate.

"They knew who I was, what I stood for," James told CBN News. "And I'm being punished -- I was fired -- for my religious beliefs."

FOX says James just wasn't a good fit, but Liberty Institute is fighting to get James his job back.

"This is not about Craig James," the former NFL running back said. "This is about an American who had a job and someone came back -- a big corporation -- and said, 'Hey, we can't allow you on our network because of your belief and definition of what marriage is.'"

With some 1,200 cases like these documented in the new Religious Hostility Survey, Mateer says he's frightened for his country.

"The threats are increasing at a dramatic rate, and this survey demonstrates that," Mateer said.

Mat Staver's Liberty Council also fights for the rights of people of faith.

"What we're seeing is instead of religious liberty being protected as it is affirmed by the First Amendment, people of religious faith, particularly Christians, are finding themselves the targets of discrimination," Staver said.

Sgt. Monk says now when Christians facing hostility must hold steady, mostly for other believers.

"They need to see us stand firm in our faith," he told CBN News. "And when they see that, I think we'll see a turn of events."

Mateer noted that when believers fight back, they almost always win. So only by meekly accepting defeat will they let the enemies of religion triumph.

"They've stated their objective is to remove God from our public life. Well, if we remain silent, that's going to happen," Mateer warned.

Click here: CBN News - full article and video

Related Stories:

Craig James 'Shocked' over FOX Firing for Beliefs

'Jesus Not Allowed': Anti-Faith Sentiment Sweeps US

Hostility Toward Religious Expression Growing

Ahava Love Letter - "They Are Loved Also" (Steve Martin)

“They Are Loved Also”    “…who desires all men to be saved and to come  to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4, NAS)

Dear family of friends,

On my regular, early morning drive to my 7 am - 4 pm accounting job on Monday, Aug. 26, 2013, I was listening as usual to a Paul Wilbur CD. His latest is entitled “Your Great Name”, and the song “Who Can Compare” was coming almost full volume out of the auto speakers. I am so grateful to Paul and his Messianic music shared over these past decades. (Our Ahava Love Band really enjoys playing his music.) What a gift from the Lord he is to so many!

When I turned onto the College Street exit in uptown Charlotte, the Lord spoke to me to drive on Tryon Street, the site of the weekend’s LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transvestite) festival. According to the Charlotte Observer’s news story on Aug. 24, 2013, at least 55,000 were expected. It had been 19 years since something like this took place in Charlotte. Honestly, my heart’s cry was that it would not have been at all.

For that Saturday night I had bought two tickets in May for the Lion King play uptown, as a Mother’s Day gift for my good wife Laurie, not knowing at the time that this event was scheduled to go on then also.

With an hour to kill before the play, after our Irish restaurant dinner, I walked her around the blocks that I normally do during lunch, showing her the sights of the beautiful city. I pointed out the new ballpark under construction, the church park where I found Little Orphan Chuckie a few days earlier (see my Ahava Love Letter  “Little Orphan Chuckie”) and some of my prayer locations along the way – the fountains, the eating establishments, the gathering places of people.

When the need for a bathroom came up, I tried to determine the best way around the festival, which was a few blocks away from our walk location. But the nearest one was right through the activity. “OK Lord, this should be interesting” was my thought.

As a married couple now for 36 years, we still on occasion hold hands as we walk. So we did thus on this little adventure also. We weren’t the only ones holding hands.

My heart was silently praying for these whom the Lord Jesus Christ loves too, and died for also. As I see it, we have to go where they are, because they aren’t coming to our nice, comfortable church pews. Isn’t that what our Savior and Messiah Yeshua did, our Prime Example of expressing the Father’s love? To go where the people are? Yes it is.

As Steve Green sang, “People Need The Love.” Yes they do. All shapes, kinds, and genders. They need the Lord as much as we do in our daily lives. Who will share His love with them, if not those who already know Him? As so we walked amongst them.

Charlotte, NC skyline (Photo by Steve Martin)

When I drove that next Monday morning, I purposely turned then onto Tryon Street, heading north on the same blocks where the pride of ungodliness had occurred just a day earlier. I put down the windows and played really loud Paul Wilbur’s song, “Who Is Like You O Lord.” The lyrics “All creation declares, none can compare to the greatness of our God” holds true for those who know Him now, and for those who will, if we just have the love and courage the Holy Spirit, Ruach HaKodesh, puts in our hearts. I wanted to declare His love and rulership into the air that morning, where other spirits have tried to rule. We can take that authority as believers in the King of kings and Lord of lords.

It still holds true today, as the Jewish believer Johanan (the Apostle John) wrote, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, centuries before,

“This is how much God loved the world: He gave His Son, His one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in Him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending His Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in Him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust Him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to Him.” (John 3:16-18 The Message Bible)

They need to hear this, in a loving way, even as we were presented the Gospel, when we lived in sin. My prayer is that some of us will be brave enough to share His love, so that they come to know Him too, and not remain in their lifestyle. There is certainly a life worth living, but it is found only in Him.

Ahava (love in Hebrew) to my family of friends,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858.

Please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless Israel with our humanitarian ministry. 

Tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation.

Go here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH  OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards:www.loveforhispeople.org/support

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. Box 414   Pineville, NC 28134

Todah rabah! (Hebrew - Thank you very much.)

Please share this Ahava Love Letter with your friends.

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Ahava Love Letter #72   “They Are Loved Also”  ©2013 Steve Martin 

Date: In the year of our Lord 2013 (08/26/13 Monday at 7:35 am in Charlotte, NC)

All previous editions of Ahava Love Letter can be found on this Blog:

 http://loveforhispeople.blogspot.com   

Here are the last few:

Oskars Needed Again? (#71)

Little Orphan Chuckie (#70)

Demons & Fire Trucks (#69)

I Like Mike (#68)

Disappointed with Small Beginnings? (#67)

Rise Again (#66)

The Cities (#65)

How can You Mend A Broken Heart (#64)

Anxious (#63)

Hidden (#62)

Get Back in the Boat (#61)

Need Money? (#60)