Stones - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Stones

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

'These are the things which you should do: speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for peace in your gates.” (Zechariah 8:16-7, NASU)

Have you ever been hit by a stone? Hurts doesn’t it. As a little kid, we’d throw smooth, flat stones across the still pond, hoping to skip them two or three times. If we ever made over five skips, that was a bit deal. But if you accidentally threw one amiss, and it hit someone, then the scream came. Yes, it hurts.

As grownups, we tend not to throw literal stones anymore, unless the scarecrow is trying to eat the vegetables out of the backyard garden. But we do still throw stones, only these ones can hurt more than a real one when it hits another. These are the verbal or written “stones” that can be very harmful, even deadly when viciously tossed at another. Bullying has received more attention in these days, given the predominance of social media. Even fake news has gotten into the picture, especially in our political climate. Some very vicious stones are being thrown wide and far.

Now I know that it has been the attitude of church leaders over the past decades not to get involved in local, state and national politics, primarily out of fear. Fear of whom? Those in our government politics. And yet we are told to be involved, as Jesus commanded us to be “lights in the world”. So yes, we must get involved.

Letting our voices be heard is necessary, going outside our four church walls, if we are to be as salt or light in anything we move about in, within the society we live in. Christians must speak up. We must let our truthful words be spoken and heard before we are silenced for good.

Coupled with prayer, which is of vital importance, we are to be involved, for the sake of all in authority, and for those they rule over.

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2, NASU)

With prayer as the first action in lifting up those serving in politics, the next step is to put action to those words of supplications.

The many battles going on in our nation’s capital, Washington D.C., involves all of us, whether we want to admit it or not. The actions of the elected, and even those appointed must be noted and paid attention to by Christians. We cannot sit idly by and let the ungodly, unrighteous, or unlawful ones take over. We have been given the responsibility to know and be about the Father’s business, in seeing His kingdom come about in all the realms. We have the truth. Let us speak it boldly and confidently.

As stones are being thrown every which way in the chambers and halls of our government institutions, let us stand against the lies being slung at the righteous seeking to represent the good of our nation and the people. With the Holy Spirit working in and through us, let us speak up and make our influence known while we yet can.

We are called to be living stones, ones that build up and not tear down. May our actions bring life and protection to those who are having hurtful stones slung at their character and honor. May we speak up with the wisdom and knowledge we have been given through our Lord’s Word, and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

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Now Think On This #352 - in the year of our Lord 09.18.18 – “Stones”, Tuesday, 11:30 am

Milestones - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Milestones

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“Then Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar.” (Genesis 31:45, NASU) 

We all have milestones in our lives. Those special days that come and we note them in special ways. We commemorate what has happened, who has done a tremendous thing, or an accomplishment has come about that we want to remember. These have touched our hearts with joy, and we want to remember the good that we have experienced. And sometimes they were a time of sadness, that our minds will recall years later, lest we ever forget.

On many occasions the good Lord of Israel spoke to His children, instructing them to set up stones, build an altar in fact, on a specific spot. This location would be marked, for themselves, their children, and the grands that followed behind. They would have a place to come back to, in order to remember that which had been done, most often miraculously, on their behalf.

This would be a place where a life moment, a unique notch on the timeline of their lives, etched in stone, and left behind to always note the crossing they had just come through. He wanted them to leave a memorial, a marker on that exact location, so they could look back upon it years later, and again rejoice in His faithfulness in getting them to that point.

(Photo: My hand in the creek bed where David most likely collected stones and killed his enemy, Goliath. Israel May 2008).

After seeking, searching, going after the reward set before us, and then having reached that point, we too must place a stone for memory’s sake. We must note that an achievement has taken place. We will want to recall later exactly what the Lord did in our life then - enabling us to get through it all, to finish that portion of the race, and then enabled to receive the hard-earned reward awaiting each of us who have pressed on to the finish line.

Through it all, by never giving up, never quitting, defeating those days of discouragement that come to all, all the time determined to do what it takes to get through that hour, that month, those years. And when it is accomplished, we set down the milestone right there. Later on, we will be able to look back and say, “Yes, the Lord brought me through that. He was there, all the times, holding my hand, carrying me often, encouraging me along the path. I got to finish line in the race He had set before me.”

Today, look back and think of the milestones you have laid down, knowingly or knowingly, and give thanks to the Lord Jesus for what He has done in your life.

Remember those times when you thought you just couldn’t get through another day, and yet you did. He brought you through.

Remember what you said, when you stood before that mountain, and spoke out loud, “I just can’t cross this one!” And then you found yourself on the other side, carried on the wings of the angels He sent specifically to you, to get you there on the other side.

Recall the people He sent your way, who gave an encouraging word at just the time you really needed one; who wrote a heart-touching note or simply sent a text, that helped you do it one more time, when before you had told yourself you couldn’t do it one more time. But now you did. You made it, and now you can leave that stone of remembrance.

“I am trusting You My God. I am trusting You my God,” sings Jason Upton in my earphones right now. Yes, the ultimate act of worship – trusting the One Who enables, Who gets us through, Who instructs us to leave a milestone, helping to recall what He has done. He knows there will be times when we will need to look back at that time, that place, and say once again, “Yes, He is my Savoir. He brought me through it again.”

“For Adonai is good, his grace continues forever, and his faithfulness lasts through all generations.” (Psalm 100:5, Complete Jewish Bible)

Trust in the Lord. Call on His name. Trust and believe in Him today, tomorrow, until the very end. And then lay down that milestone and say with all your heart, “We did it, Lord. You brought me through. You helped me finish this race.”

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

P.S. I mark this day as the one when I retire from my accounting job, the last leg of this race, completing 52 years of serving in organizations, companies, and Christian ministries. I have finished this race, and am now ready to start the new one set before me! Yeah God!!! 

The following letter is from my good friend at work, Meir Jones. Thank you, Meir, for your very encouraging word! Ahava my friend!

                    Cheshvan 11, 5778

Steve –                                       

May this new journey you’re taking, lead you to amazing heights of Shalom!

From the first day, I walked into this new role of work and met you, I knew we would be great friends; one might say kindred spirits.

It’s not often, one meets a kind soul that encourages and befriends within the business world. You, my friend, did both!

May the laughter we shared, continue to fill the days and hours, while you do His work.

Keep smiling and know all is well.

                                       Shalom, Meir

Meir Jones, Steve Martin - Charlotte Center City Partners Oct. 26, 2017

Gift from my Greek lady boss, Eleni Saunders - Charlotte Center City Partner

Oct. 31, 2017  Charlotte, North Carolina USA

Be sure to sign up for our newsletter. Use the "Sign Up" button on our website, or go here: Sign Me Up!

If these messages have ministered to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $10-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families in Israel whom we consistently help monthly through our humanitarian work. Your tax-deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

  

Secure, conveniently contributions can be done online now. Click here: DONATE 

(or use the DONATE buttons on the blog.)

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 Now Think On This with your friends on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and LinkedIn.  We appreciate your help.

Now Think On This - in the Year of our Lord 10.31.17 - #326 – “Milestones”

Tuesday, 5:00 am  My retirement day!

I Am Releasing My Glory Through Rough, Unpolished Diamonds In The Earth - Bill Yount

Rough and Uncut, finished diamonds I Am Releasing My Glory Through Rough, Unpolished Diamonds In The Earth Posted: 25 Oct 2015  BILL YOUNT Diamonds In The Rough Are Rising In Demand In The Jewelry Market and In God's Kingdom. I read an article published by The Wall Street Journal with the title, "'Rough' diamonds -- some looking more like gravel than gems -- edge into the jewelry market." Here are some excerpts taken from that article, "A new look in diamond jewelry is on the rise...Known as rough diamonds, these are the stones in their natural state, before they've been cut with the facets that give diamonds the sparkle, brilliance and clarity they are known for...Luxury consumers are maturing "beyond the 'look at me' phase."  As I read this article I sensed the Father saying, "I'll buy that. Many of My people have hindered My glory from moving throughout the earth. They have become enamored with perfection, waiting to be cut just perfectly before they think the world will see Me in them. Many have become like diamonds waiting to be cut and polished until no earthly resemblance is left in them. Many then get stranded inside of My house thinking if they go into the world, something earthly could stain and cause My shine to fade." "But now, I am releasing My glory into the earth as I release My diamonds in the rough. Many of these vessels who seem more 'earthy' than others will begin to shine even brighter as My glory pierces through these cracked and seemingly broken vessels. The defects in some earthen vessels will actually give way to more of My glory shining through them." The most valuable fine cut diamonds in the world can only be seen in museums under lock and key and can never be touched by human hands. Diamonds in the "rough" can turn up anywhere and can be touched by anyone. Be careful who you think has a lot of earth left in them after they are redeemed...there may be a larger diamond under all that earth! 2 Corinthians 4:7, "If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us. As it is, there's not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we're not much to look at..." ( Message Bible ) Bill Yount   www.billyount.com Love For His People Editor's Note: Photos of the diamonds added to the original message.

Stones with a human heart

Wednesday, July 08, 2015 |  Tsvi Sadan  ISRAEL TODAY

My guess is that the recent recognition of Beit She'arim as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will not change the minds of those who believe that the "Jewish people" is a modern invention concocted to solidify Western colonialism in the Middle East.

Fortunately, unlike people, stones are incapable of rewriting history. They can't change the inscriptions engraved on them and they can't move themselves to new, less sensitive places.

This is not to say that archeology is not used as a tool to support beliefs and political aspirations. Archeology was initiated by people who sought to find hard proofs for biblical history, and Israel has always used it to support the right of the Jews to return to their ancient homeland.

Beit She'arim was a first century AD Jewish town destroyed by the Romans in 352 AD. The site is located 20 km east of Haifa, in the southern foothills of the Lower Galilee. Its fame came from Rabbi Yehuda Ha'Nasi, who lived there most of his life, and there he was buried.

Ha'Nasi was the compiler of the Mishna, the most important Jewish text after the Bible, which is why his burial site became a magnet for many Jews from Yemen to Antioch wishing to be buried by his side. With time, the town's cemetery has become a Jewish necropolis that has documented "two centuries of historical and cultural achievement."

UNESCO recognition of this site as a "Jewish cultural center" is not a political move in support of Israel. It is simply a statement of the obvious, just as the newly deciphered inscription is.

Similarly, while the reasons for Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to publish a newly found inscription bearing the name Eshba'al Ben Beda on its webpage are quite obvious, the ceramic jar from the time of David with its ancient Hebrew script that bears the name doesn't leave much room for manipulation.

According to Yosef Garfinkel of the Institute of Archaeology at Hebrew University and Saar Ganor of the Israel Antiquities Authority, "This is the first time that the name Eshba'al has appeared on an ancient inscription in the country … until about five years ago we knew of no inscriptions dating to the tenth century BCE from the Kingdom of Judah."

Eshba'al was also the name of King Saul's son (1 Ch. 8:33), who according to Jewish tradition is the same person named Mephiboshethin 2 Sa. 4:4. Whoever Eshba'al Ben Beda was, there seems to be no argument that he was a Judean who lived in the Valley of Ellah, the same place where David fought Goliath.

Stating the obvious is becoming increasingly necessary in an age when archeology is has become prey for those denying any Jewish links to the Land of Israel.

Most know of the systematic destruction of archeological findings by the Palestinian digging under the Temple Mount. Fewer know about the removal of any reference to Jewish life even from villages bearing Hebrew names, like Beitar (Batir), Anatot (Anata) and Tekoa (Tekua).

The Visitor Information Center of Bethlehem (Hebrew: Beit Lehem), for example, does not inform visitors at all regarding the history of nearby Batir at the time of the Great Jewish Revolt in 135 AD. Likewise, though the prophet Amos is mentioned in the history of Tekua, visitors are not told that he spoke Hebrew, not to Palestine, but to Israel and Judea.

As one Hebrew song puts it, "there are people with a heart of stone," but there are also "stones with a human heart" that are speaking to us so that we may know, if only we had ears to hear.

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