Showing posts with label obedience. Show all posts
Showing posts with label obedience. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

When the Commander Speaks, Act Immediately – Steve Martin, Love For His People

 

When the Commander Speaks, Act Immediately – Steve Martin, Love For His People

Former Laura Jean Unzicker. Now Laurie Martin (a.k.a. Mrs. Steve Martin!)

April 20, 2022 Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.” Mark 1:18-20, NASU (Emphasis mine)


When I was in 8th grade back in Cedar Falls, Iowa, around 1968 ( a long, long time ago), my wise restaurant boss/owner Russ Rolinger, of Rolinger’s Restaurant, would tell me and the all-boy crew, “When the food is hot, get it out.” Or when he was feeling the pressure of pleasing the customers immediately, hungry for a good meal that they knew was coming, for short he’d yell, “Hot food first!”

He was making a spiritual point even though I am sure he wasn’t thinking along those lines.

His father, Lou Rolinger, a former boxer then in his 80s, would show up at the restaurant on most days. But being he had probably been in the ring too many times and got hit in the head more than one should have, he would sometimes be in our way as we rushed around doing our jobs.

Lou had been a lightweight boxing champion back in the day. He opened the first Rolinger’s restaurant in downtown Waterloo, Iowa in 1937 and then had his son Russ take it over.

Being Russ knew a good worker when he saw one, with me now being at the legal age of 14 for hire, Russ added me to the crew. Iowa permitted that back then. Not sure if they still do today.

This wasn’t very nice of us, but we called Lou, “Old Codger” for he would shuffle around, moving much slower than he once did. Or he would stand at the kitchen/main eating area door, the one we had to walk through to get hot food out to the customers in the booths. Basically, in our way.

Teenagers can, and usually are, not very respective of wiser parents and the older generation. We were teenagers.

By the way, for the younger ones, “codger” in the dictionary means “codg·er /ˈkäjər/noun DEROGATORY•INFORMAL – an elderly man, especially one who is old-fashioned or eccentric. For example: “old codgers always harp on about yesteryear” or “Her father is a feisty old codger.”)

I found the following on the Internet of my first boss Russ, who hired me after my Waterloo Courier paper route delivery days had ended.

 

Sep 4, 2013 — WATERLOO — Russell R. Rolinger, 77, of Waterloo, died Sunday, Sept. 1, at Windsor Nursing and Rehab Center, from complications of dementia. Rolinger, who took over his family’s namesake restaurant, ran it for a generation, then worked in food service at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA. 1935-2013

I worked for Russ for about 2 years, and then went onto a 3rd shift (10 pm – 7 am) job stocking shelves at an Eagle grocery store, just up the street from Hy-Vee where Kurt Warner also stocked shelves a decade or so later. Kurt went on to win a Super Bowl in his days with the Los Angeles Rams. My fame? Having the same name as another of the same name.

(L-R) Otto Unzicker, Lorraine Unzicker, Laurie Martin, Steve Martin, Lila Martin, Louis Martin Oct. 7, 1977

Almost a decade later, having moved from Cedar Falls, Iowa to LaSalle/Peru, Illinois at the age of 22, where the Lord set me up to have the beautiful Laura Jean Unzicker walk down the St. John’s Lutheran church aisle at the ready age of 18, to come walk with me from then on, I mailed a letter to Russ.

In the correspondence, I admitted to stealing chocolate shakes, along with the other boys when I went on break. I enclosed $5.00 along with the “admittance of guilt” message. I knew it didn’t cover the full amount, and while I never got a reply from Russ, I had peace that the Lord had me do the right thing.

Now continuing to the full purpose of this message, as I share further the importance of listening and doing what the boss says when the boss says it.

When the Lord gives you something to do, do it. When He gives you something to say, say it.

The Apostle Mark, in writing his gospel version of what Yeshua (Jesus) spoke and did Himself, often used the word “immediately” in his writings.

He had a very good reason for doing that. The Lord wants people to respond when He speaks. And He tells us how and when, if we have committed ourselves to listen.

Too many times we literally sit on what we hear, waiting another day, or year, to get “one more” confirmation before we get up off the couch or our favorite reclining chair and act in obedience. How much gets done when we do that?

When the Army sergeant says, “GO!” you better not look at him and think, “Did you mean now?” Or “Shall I ponder on this for a moment or two?”

When I heard on the news in March 2022 that Israel was finally opening their country to unvaccinated travelers, I knew immediately that the Lord had given me the command to “GO”. Having waited for 2.5 years since our last Ahava Adventures to the promised land of the Jews, in October 2019, and having already endured the great disappointment of 6 canceled flights during that time, I didn’t have to have again an “if or when” word from the Lord. He had already given me that heart’s desire for fulfillment when that breaking news flash came.

(Photo: Keith Green’s album “Jesus Commands Us To Go” – hanging on my garage wall for over a decade.)

I didn’t have to pray anymore about it. I didn’t have to ask others for confirmation if I should go. As Keith Green sang in one of his urgent heart cry songs, “Jesus Commands Us To Go” – I already knew it was time. And I immediately obeyed by purchasing the flight ticket and lodging for the 10 nights and 11 days in Jerusalem.

The Lord hasn’t prepared you and me for decades, making us ready for action, only to keep us seated on the bench when the war comes. When He says, “Now” we must act immediately.

When the warriors prepared for the US Army or IDF are put on the front lines, as is also happening now with the gray-haired generation during these times of multiple spiritual battles, their intensive training, and ours, has already taken place. All the hard-pressed (as in an olive press or winepress) and difficult training we have received, for some of us it has been decades, is now being used by the Lord.

And when the Commander speaks forth, it is time to do it. When He gives the signal, it is our duty to obey immediately.

Jesus Christ (Yeshua HaMashiach) is returning soon. On His commanding white horse.

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.

He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the winepress of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, ” KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 19:11-16, NASU

We are in battle. All hands are needed on deck. That includes you, so let’s do this together.

In His strength, love, and grace we can do this.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin, Love For His People founder

SPECIAL NOTE: Our ministry’s mobile app is available for iPhones and Androids. This is a free app download. Look here: Love For His People free phone app

Please sign up for my email messages: Love For His People. The sign-up form is on our ministry website: ministry newsletter

You have the opportunity to help support the work of this ministry, including the assistance we give to families in Israel: DONATE online now. You can also send checks to:

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

E-mail: loveforhispeople@gmail.com

Please share this message with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and LinkedIn, Gettr.  Others will be thankful you did. And I thank you too.

Message #65 – in the year of our Lord 04.20.2022 – When the Commander Speaks” – Wednesday, 4:15 am in Charlotte, NC USA

Steve Martin

STEVE & LAURIE MARTIN - LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE FOUNDERS My good wife Laurie and I (45 years in October 2022!), through the ministry of Love For His People we founded in 2010, give love and support for our friends in Israel and in other nations with friendship, humanitarian aid, and social media support, along with Steve's messages, and our Ahava Adventures trips to Israel. Steve has also authored and published 33 books. We live in the Charlotte, NC area. We have four adult children, spouses, and eight grandkids.

Sunday, November 17, 2019

“On His Terms” – Now Think On This by Steve Martin

“On His Terms” – Now Think On This by Steve Martin

“Yes, he (Jacob) wrestled with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought His favor. He found Him at Bethel and there He spoke with us, even the Lord, the God of hosts, the Lord is His name.” Hosea 12:4-5, NASU
Rather than ask if you have ever wrestled with God yourself, the proper question would be, “How many times have you wrestled with God?”
We all have if we are honest with ourselves. The Lord speaks something to us, and rather than just say, “Yes, Lord” like Mary did when the angel came to her with the news of Yeshua’s (Jesus’) coming birth, we act as if He isn’t speaking to us, or He probably is asking the wrong person to do it.
“Let Thomas do it” may be what comes to our mind. Or, “I think Suzie should be the one, not me. After all, look at what she has already done.”
We often choose to dismiss or even ignore, when the Holy Spirit prompts us with a word, giving us an assignment or asking us to perform a task that might take us out of our comfort zone. And then, where is our faith?
It is often thought that if we allow the Lord to speak to us, however He wants – through His Word, another person, or circumstances, as He did with Jonah, Jacob, or any number of examples that have been given to us in the Bible – He might ask us to go to Africa, or speak a word to our neighbor, who we really don’t care for any (if we even know our neighbor these days.)
My response regarding the “Africa” word was always, “Sure. Send me.” I have always wanted to go since I was a 10-year-old. But that is not the general case with people. (And in time I will!)
When it comes to who is Lord, do we decide when and where He has rule in our life? Do we tell Him, “Yes I will” for this but “No I won’t” for that? On whose terms do we make the decisions we do, when He directs our steps?
Jesus knows us. He knows before we respond how we will respond, but He keeps giving us opportunities to make the right response. Or at least He will for a while before He leaves us to do as we want, and reap the consequences of the choice we made.
He told the parable about the two sons, after each hearing a command of their father, as follows in Matthew 21:28-32.
“Tell me what you think of this story: A man had two sons. He went up to the first and said, ‘Son, go out for the day and work in the vineyard.’ “The son answered, ‘I don’t want to.’ Later on he thought better of it and went.
“The father gave the same command to the second son. He answered, ‘Sure, glad to.’ But he never went. “Which of the two sons did what the father asked?”
They said, “The first.”
Jesus said, “Yes, and I tell you that crooks and whores are going to precede you into God’s kingdom. John came to you showing you the right road. You turned up your noses at him, but the crooks and whores believed him. Even when you saw their changed lives, you didn’t care enough to change and believe him.” THE MESSAGE version
Wow! Notice who Jesus said would precede ones into God’s kingdom? The crooks and the whores. They believed, and thus did what He asked. What does that say about us when we hear and turn a deaf ear to what the Lord is speaking to us?
And then on whose terms will we carry out His desires? Do we put parameters around it, just enough to make it palatable, and easy to do?
Our walk with the Lord will take us off the convenient path, the easy way out, the comfortable couch that we love to sit on. Faith is an act of obedience.
Decide to choose to walk in faith next time the Lord gives you the privilege of hearing His voice, His Word, by choosing to give it to you. The more you respond in a positive, obedient manner, the more you will see the perfect will He has for your life being carried out.
It is up to you.
And if you have said no in the past, there is room for repentance. Ask for His forgiveness, and He will once again show you the way you are to go.
Now think on this and see what good things the Lord has in store for you and those around you.
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin
Founder/President, Love For His People, Inc.
SPECIAL NOTE: Our ministry’s new mobile app is available for Android smartphones, on Google Play store, or click here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.itsapp2you.lfhp
The iPhone mobile app is also a free download on the Apple Store. Look now.
Please sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter: Now Think On ThisThe sign-up form is on our new ministry website: https://loveforhispeople.com
You are welcome to help support the families in Israel that we do. Give now. Givelify.

Love For His People ministry
P.O. Box 414
Pineville, NC 28134
Please share Now Think On This with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and LinkedIn.  Others will be thankful you did.
Now Think On This #469 – in the year of our Lord 11.17.19 – “On His Terms” Sunday, 7:00 am