Standing in support of Israel, Jews, and believers in all the nations, in the name of Jesus (Yeshua). Sharing biblical truth, encouragement, news, and messages by Steve Martin.
“He who makes a way through
the sea and a path through the mighty waters, Who brings out
the chariot and the horse… “Do not call to mind the former things or
consider things of the past. Behold, I am going to do something new;
now it will spring up; will you not be aware of it?” Isaiah 43:
16-19 (part), NASB
We all have had times when we stood up against
the “Red Sea” and wondered how in high heaven we would make it across. Would we
ever see a way out, a financial burden removed, a relationship restored? I
have. You have. God will do it because God can and does do it.
The Lord did it for Moses. He will do it for us.
I clearly remember the time, actually just a few
months ago in September 2025, when the Lord had cleared the way for Laurie and
me to spend three months with a great organization in Jerusalem, Christian
Friends of Israel. The bank account was literally almost empty.
I had bought our plane tickets two months before,
to make sure we didn’t back out, but now there were other expenses that had to
be covered before takeoff. I wrote a full chapter of this in my book, Back
To Jerusalem, and published it in January 2026, upon our return.
God made a way when there seemed to be no way.
Ministries contributed. Families contributed. An accounting job provided funds,
along with the sale of our second car.
In the March 3 devotional by Charles H. Spurgeon,
Faith’s Checkbook, it is written, “the star of hope is still
in the sky when the night is blackest. The Lord will not forget us and
hand us over to the enemy.” (2009 Christian Arts Gifts, Inc., IL, USA)
Calling on the Name of the Lord has taught me
over the years that we depend on Him for all things. He has wisdom. He has provisions.
He has the way to make theway when there seems to
be no way.
Ongoing miracles of Israel’s protection prove His
faithfulness in the daily news. Those who know Him will also know of His love
and grace revealed in their life.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will
be saved.” Romans 10:13, NASB
This promise is not just for our initial
salvation. It is ongoing.
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin, Love For His People in Charlotte, North
Carolina
Message #9, 2026, “God
Will Make A Way”, March 3, 2026, 3:15
pm
“Nor do people put new wine
into old wineskins; otherwise the wineskins burst, and the
wine pours out, and the wineskins are ruined; but they put new wine
into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.” Matthew 9:17, NASB
My good wife Laurie and I love visiting vineyards in Israel,
primarily in the northern Golan, where they are plentiful. We led a group of nine
from our home group on a visit in May 2023, and it was one of the best times we
had together.
Vineyard in the Golan, Israel, May 2023
They liked the wine. I liked the Land where it grows most of
all.
When we went to a major winery and took the tour, I was
fascinated by the huge, very huge barrels where the grapes continued their
journey, beginning with the harvest, through pressing and crushing, then
fermentation, aging in oak barrels, and bottling.
Most interesting of all was the way they would pour the
liquid from one vat into another, leaving sediment behind that would spoil the
drink if this step were omitted. (I am not a winemaker, so if I get this
process wrong, please appreciate my attempt!)
You know where I am going. This is what we can visually see
in nature, which teaches us a bit about the spiritual. Our Lord gives us these
things to show us more of His Ways.
Paul primarily speaks of the resurrection of the Messiah
Yeshua (Jesus Christ) in the following Scripture, but we can see it elsewhere
as well. “However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the
spiritual.” 1 Corinthians 15:46. NASB
So, as the juice moves through this processing, so it is in
our lives as the Lord directs our steps, leading us, changing us, leaving the
old behind so we can walk in the new.
“Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the
wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they
put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” Matthew 9:17, NKJV
It is a necessary process. If we are to go on with the Lord
as His Holy Spirit leads, we best be available and open to the changes He presents
before us.
Nobody likes sour wine. Me especially.
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin
Message #7, 2026, “Sour Wine or Change” Feb. 24, 2026
“But
you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work,
chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out
for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from
nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.”1
Peter 2:9-10 The Message
There are times when we
think we are the only ones experiencing a trial, a bad moment, a situation that
no one else has had or has gone through before.
You are not abnormal. We
are often in spiritual warfare. Where do you think Satan and his demons
always attack first? The marriage. The family. The mission. The Lord’s chosen
ones, in Israel and throughout the nations.
The Word tells us,
prophetically, that in these last days we will experience trials, tribulations,
roadblocks, temptations, and ongoing attempts by our enemy to curtail us from
completing the mission set before us. Our enemy is not brilliant, but he is not
dumb either. He has had enough experience to know what will keep us from
pressing on, if we fall to his schemes.
A well-known prophetic
man once said, “There are the three things that will be set before you in temptations.
Gold, glory, or girls.” He was right.
(Or
as Scripture puts it, in1 John 2:16, "For all that is in the world, the
lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and
the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is
from the world."
It is supernaturally
natural for those who are seeking to hear and obey the call of the Lord Jesus
(Yeshua), as He leads us through His Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh), to be
opposed by the one who hates God the Father and all those who are His children,
Jew and Gentile. And if he can’t get you in one area, he will use another. Or
those close to you, who may be more vulnerable.
Is it no surprise then
that we, Laurie and I, have been warned by those abiding in Israel and others
who have gone before, to be “prayed up” with intercessors covering our backs, as
we go forward into His call and purpose for Israel.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of
His might.Put on the
full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against
the schemes of the devil.For our struggle is not against [f]flesh and
blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world
forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of
wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be
able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand
firm.Stand firm
therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the
breastplate of righteousness,and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the
gospel of peace;in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which
you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the
evil one.And take the helmet of
salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the
Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request
for all the saints,” Ephesians 6:10-18, NASB
As you too face
opposition in your own daily walk, call upon the Name of the Lord, and as I
often say, and you can too, “My times are in Your hands.” Lead us and
protect us, Lord.
We can thus press
forward and complete the assignments He has given to each of us with faith and
courage.
We welcome your prayers and support as we together bless
Israel and His people in their Land.
Contributions are welcome online by clicking here on our
webpage, when you look for the little DONATE button on each side
column, on the Love For His People website. DONATE HERE.
Love For His People Ministry P.O. Box 1113 Pineville, North Carolina 28134USA
Message #17 in my series (2025): “You Are Not Abnormal"
– Sept. 22, 2025
“And you will seekMe and
find Me when you search for Me with
all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:13 NASB
On Sunday, June 22, 2025,
as I sat on our light-brown, cozy couch, feet propped up on the square, brown
fake-leather footrest in the middle of our living room, watching the 5th
season of The Chosen, episode 3...
Jesus spoke a word to me.
Actually, it was through Jonathan Roumie, who wonderfully portrays Yeshua in
the powerful series The Chosen, Season 5, episode 3.
The Lord likes to do that.
Speaks to us through human vessels, which at times we take for granted.
In this episode, Yeshua
had just delivered a stunning, in-your-face word to the Pharisees and Sadducees
at the gate of the Second Temple, leaving them fuming under their heavy robes.
He then responded to one of his disciples who was chasing after Him as He left.
The disciple was concerned that He had just made them really mad, and they were
going to come after Him.
In my words, not a direct
quote, He responded, half mockingly, “Maybe if they seek Me, they will find
Me.”
Have you ever sought the
Lord, for real, wanting an answer to a concern, a problem, a directive in your
life, and sincerely wanting an answer?
Yes, you have. As I have
too.
At the time of this
writing, I am 70 years old, although I no longer say, “70 and 7 months,” as
little kids do. Even though that is true, once again, the Lord Who leads and
guides us by His Holy Spirit, Ruach HaKodesh in Hebrew, has given me a choice.
Again.
I had thought I had
“retired” seven years ago and could now sit on my front porch in Charlotte,
North Carolina, rocker and read another Joel Rosenberg thriller, or Abraham
Lincoln biography.
I heard Him call my name.
Again.
“If you seek Me, I will
lead you on to greater things.” (*See more about this part, as included below.)
So, what was I going to
do? Dismiss it as yet another time the still, small voice wasn’t needing to pay
attention to? Should I respond with the common “No” that the Bible teacher, Bob
Mumford, said decades ago is the most common reaction we give when the Lord
presents a new adventure?
For our best good, we need
to hear, obey, and follow no matter where He leads.
This is our daily choice,
if we truly want to be followers of Jesus, Yeshua, the Messiah. Our Lord. Our
God. The One Who has always promised to do just that, to lead us in the way we
are to go.
“Thus says Adonai,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Isra’el: 'I am Adonai, your God, who
teaches you for your own good, who guides you on the path you should take.”
Isaiah 48:17, CJB (Complete Jewish Bible)
Ahava and Shalom,
Steve Martin
P.S. *I did in fact
receive this confirming word from a prophetically gifted woman, out of the
blue, whom I trust, (Nancy Shupp) who wrote this in an email to me on June 14,
2025. It came in my InBox, days after I had seriously started seeking the Lord
about a matter He set before me.
"As I was praying for you,
I heard the following: Thank you for responding to the call to come walk with
me. You didn’t despise that it is a ministry that would never bring fame
or riches. You only wanted to please me. I treasure our walks
together and being able to bless others through you.
You haven’t sought glory
or recognition, but Heaven knows your name. Our walk is changing, but
don’t be afraid. The road ahead is even more glorious than the one behind
us. I love you. I bless you, mighty man of God, and speak that everywhere
your feet touch, the enemy flees, and light and love are released.”
Thank you, Nancy!
And if you have known me
for a little while, you may have heard of or seen my video recordings, “Walk With Me,” that I have been
creating for many years. It is something close to my heart that the Lord said
in this prophetic word.
P.S.S. I will pray for you
if you let me know what is on your heart. Seriously. I normally pray in
tongues, for the Holy Spirit knows exactly what you need, when you need it, and
how you need the answer, as you too seek Him. Please let me know.
Greetings to my family and friends of Love For His People Ministry.
I enjoy sitting on our front porch, early in the morning before the sun gets too hot, and praying, reading the Word, and watching the Lord's creation move about me.
This morning as I rocked in the chair, I noticed a huge tree, across the road behind the neighbor's house, with its large leaves swaying in the wind. I couldn't feel the breeze, nor were any other trees blowing in the wind. Just this one, with its very large leaves, as if they were individuals, moving and speaking.
My thought was, "They remind me of the crowd of witnesses, looking down from heaven and cheering us on." I thanked the Lord for the reminder, as He speaks to us in many ways so often. We just need to stop and see Him. Even His creation cries out.
Please take the time to read my new message, "Through It All" below. May it encourage you too! (And then let me know how you are doing as you walk on...)
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin
Founder, Love For His People Ministry
P.S. The above photo was one I took in the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City in September 2022. I was walking in the narrow street on my way to the Jewish Western Wall. Sometimes I like to take the "not so beaten" path.
Through It All
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NASU
Many of us are familiar with the story of the person walking the beach and seeing two footprints in the sand. And then one set stops and only one is seen. The person seems to complain to the Lord that they believed the Lord had left them. But it wasn’t as one would think.
Many of us walk with afflictions, torments, physical sickness or conflicts all around us in family, neighbors, on the job, or even in church. It wears us down and the weariness in the battle can set us “on the sideline” after a while. We may even wonder where the Lord is through it all.
Remember the song by Andre Crouch Through It All, written and sung in 1971? “Though it all, I learned to trust in Jesus, I learned to trust in God.” It became a very popular expression of seeking and relying on the One Who could and would take us daily through that which we face.
Even more so do we need to rely on the Lord’s promises today, as we walk through this life, facing temptations, trials, and the many cares of this world. As the story goes, we need to realize that the Lord is carrying us, and we “walk in His shoes” even as He carries us. There is no other way to do it.
When I have others share their burdens with me, sometimes I can relate to them and am able to share my experience in getting through it, for I too have walked through similar episodes of life. But at other times I am not quite able, for I have not walked in their shoes. I have not experienced that which their life’s journey has taken them on and can’t yet fully understand all the pressures put on them.
My part may just be to encourage them to stand strong, to keep looking up, to let their faith be solid in the Lord, Who knows all and sees all. It may be my role to comfort them with what I have in the past been comforted with, as much as possible. And if I haven’t had their experience (yet), then I need to be in prayer for them, not in any way be judgmental, and allow the Holy Spirit to move on their behalf as only He can.
The full lyrics of the song, Through It All:
I've had many tears and sorrow
I've had questions for tomorrow
There've been times I didn't know right from wrong
But in every situation
God gave me blessed consolation
That my trials come to only make me strong
I've been a lot of places
And I've seen millions of of faces
But there were times that I felt so all alone
But in my lonely hour
Yet those precious lonely hours
Jesus lets me know that I was His own
That's the reason I say that
Through it all
Through it all
Oh, I've learned to trust in Jesus
I've learned to trust in God
Let me tell ya that
Through it all
Oh, through it all
I've learned to depend upon His word
So I thank God for the mountains
And I thank Him for the valleys
And I thank Him for the storms He's brought me through
For if I'd never had a problem
I'd never know God could solve them
I'd never know what faith in His word could do
That's the reason I say that
Through it all
Oh, through it all
Oh, I've learned to trust in Jesus
I've learned to trust in God
Oh let me tell you
Through it all
Oh, through it all
Oh, I've learned to depend upon His word
Oh, let me tell you right now that
Through it all
Sometimes through the fire
Through it all
My, my, my Lord
Oh, I've learned to trust in Jesus (oh, I've learned)
I've learned to trust in God (and I can trust in God)
I trust you have those around you who you can turn to, that can bring you comfort and support in your trials and tribulations. But even more so I pray that you will find comfort in the Lord Jesus, Who knows all, is all, and is always there to bring you through it all.
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin
Founder, Love For His People
Message #145 in this series – in the year of our Lord 07.20.23 – “Through It All” –Thursday, 9:15 am in Charlotte, North Carolina
The Promise - Journey of a Lifetime
In 2004 I wrote an autobiography, sharing 40 years of life
with ministries, the search for the Lord's purposes,and how I got connected to Israel and His People.
In January 2023, 19 years later, I added 114 photos.
This book contains five months of messages I shared with subscribers to my email, and then posted on our website www.loveforhispeople.com and other social media platforms.
For each of us to accomplish the Lord’s will, plans and purposes for our individual life we must know what we are to do, and do it. We will then understand the “why we do what we do” question, as we walk out His ways.
Be inspired and encouraged as you read, either as a daily discipline or as a book with examples as to how to walk the Christian faith in your own life.
And as you know the “why”, your courage, boldness, and firmer commitment to live for Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, will be evident to many. You may not even have to say a word.
I have also included the six messages I wrote from Jerusalem, between Oct. 24-Nov. 11, 2022 when I was there on my 26th journey to the Land. Since 2010 I have called them “Ahava Adventures”. “Ahava” is love in Hebrew.
Love For His People Ministry. is a charitable, USA humanitarian ministry started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations, especially to and within Israel.
If these letters minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless known families in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry.
Go here for safe giving using major credit cards through PayPal.
Contribution checks can be sent to:
Love For His People Ministry 12120 Woodside Falls Rd. Pineville, NC 28134
Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)
Please share this encouraging message with your friends.
