Jan. 16, 2011
Sunday, 3:00 pm
Greetings "Love For His People" blog readers.
This morning, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011, Bob Jones shared a word to those gathered at the Antioch International Church weekly 10 a.m. service, in Fort Mill, SC on the Heritage property (in our church meeting location next to MorningStar Fellowship and Comenius School.) I want to share part of that with you, for personal encouragment and edification too, with this writing. It was not just for us gathered there.
Before the meeting, I had walked up to where Bob and Bonnie, his wife, were seated on the left hand side, second row, first two seats, in the main church room. I bent down in the aisle to greet Bob, so he wouldn't have to get up (though I didn't think he would anyway! He is 80 years old.) I thanked him for the word he had given me 15 years ago here in Charlotte. Bonnie Chavda had asked him to come and pray for each individual on staff at Mahesh Chavda Ministries/All Nations Church.
(At that time, as it seemed his customary way of ministry, he took my hands and said he saw the color "brown." He said that color represented the ministry of teaching. After hearing that word, and several subsequent similar prophetic words given to me throughout the next 14 years, I refuted it almost instantly in my mind and heart. "I am an administrator, and that is that." I had falsely concluded this to myself, and didn't believe, nor had any desire to, that "I had a teaching gift.")
Bob then began telling me that the number 15 was very significant today. Especially for this day, the 16th of January, 2011. He spoke to me of the almond tree budding, and how 15 years ago the Lord gave him a vision of trees with white buds coming out on the 16th of January. He said now was the time of releasing of those who had been trained and prepared for this time and season.
Just the Friday night before, at the Antioch "Beit Tikvah" meeting held in the same room, I had shown a photo I had taken in Israel, of my hand with two almonds. I had picked them up off the ground in October, 2009. They were from one of two almond trees found on the new property that Vision for Israel & The Joseph Storehouse (Barry & Batya Segal) had just bought, west of Jerusalem, near Moe'din. As he shared, I started to get excited!
He continued on, telling of the reopening of the John G. Lake healing rooms 15 years ago also. I said Mahesh Chavda had visited John's grave in Ohio around then, and had brought me back a square inch piece of white fabric that he had laid on the grave stone for me. I had kept it for many years in my thick New American Standard Bible. (I just checked now. Not there.)
Sharing further, Bob told how the Lord was bringing forth His new leaders now. He spoke of how William Branham had gotten started in 1956, and how for 40 years the church was in an "Icahbod" state, but then the glory had begun to return. (1996 by my math.)
I then told Bob I was going to highly suggest to Senior Pastor Peter Wyns that Bob share this word at some point to all this morning, during the meeting. He said he wanted to (and I knew Peter would definately have him speak it!)
So after his very touching message on "Saving the Most Difficult", Peter had Bob come up. (By the way, Peter's message was based on the prophet Daniel and King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon (605-562 B.C.) Nebuchadnezzar had taken the inhabitants of Jerusalem prisoner and brought them to Babylon, for which reason this period in Biblical history is referred to as the Babylonian captivity. But after Daniel and his three faithful friends stood for righteous, and seven years of the king's being out in the wilderness, Nebuchadnezzar finally acknowledged his dependence on the God of Israel. Anyone can be saved. and we are praying for many for THIS year.)
Again, Bob shared on how the budding of the almond tree, on January 16th, 15 years ago, was now significant for THIS DAY also, Jan. 16, 2011.
He continued on, telling a word the Lord had given him recently about the "repairing of the fishermen's nets", for the harvest that is to come. How churches needed to start working together in "unity" for this to happen."
Again, I got real excited, for just this past Wednesday, Jan. 12th , I had posted my weekly "Ahava Love Letter" edition (see below) on this blog, Twitter, Facebook, Google Buzz and MySpace. Then I sent it out to the 227 "Ahava Love Letter" list, in e-mail format ,on Thursday, Jan. 13. The title was (is) "U-N-I-T-Y" is spelled..." (Hope you read it!) :)
Bob spoke on the need for networking and connections to come among churches.
This wasn't the full word he delivered. I don't have the CD recording in hand, so this is from memory.
Being it is the 16th, Peter encouraged all of us to believe the Lord for a word TODAY. And so I share this with you.
Let it be Lord!
Steve Martin
P.S. I would believe Bob's word is on the recording of Peter's message. If interested, check back with me at martinlighthouse@gmail.com and I will find out. Typically there is a $5 CD charge, plus S/H of $3.00.
P.S.S. If you are reading this after Jan. 16, ask the Lord for a personal word even yet for you. He will give it to all who ask!
Standing in support of Israel, Jews, and believers in all the nations, in the name of Jesus (Yeshua). Sharing biblical truth, encouragement, news and prophecy.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The 2 Spies: Jerusalem 1918
The 2 Spies: Jerusalem 1918: "Jerusalem in 1918 of Jacob Gross exposure . Amateur film presents a rare and unique daily life in the Old City , Western Wall, Jaffa Street..."
Ahava Love Letter - "U-N-I-T-Y" is spelled..."
Ahava Love Letter
“U-N-I-T-Y” Is Spelled…”
Jesus prayed, “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You…” John 17:21
Dear family of friends,
If God prayed a prayer, do you think it will get answered? I do. And I am seeking to be a part of that answered prayer. Want to also?
When the Lord asked me to write these Ahava Love Letters, I responded “I will”. Over the years I have learned that if I say “I will” to Him, then no matter how it happens, or where He leads me on that journey, I know I will certainly get there. Even if it takes a few hours, days, month, years, or decades to accomplish it. My part is to hear and obey. His committed part is to finish it.
When I woke up at 2:43 a.m. on Christmas Eve morning in 2010, the word in my head was “unity.” I thus considered the real possibility that the Lord had something He wanted to share with me. Then maybe with you.
But when I came down to my cozy brown prayer chair to start writing, I checked my e-mails on my new Blackberry Torch first. Answered them. Then listened to a song by Robert Critchley of Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship revival fame, called “Waterfall.”
(Sidebar: Andrew, my future son-in-law, had been over the night before, after the church Christmas program. He mentioned that song. Laurie and I had also recorded it on an All Nations Church Watch of the Lord night CD, over ten years ago. Andrew said he still listens occasionally to our version, and told me that then. Actually, I had just downloaded it onto my Blackberry the day before, along with Don Moen and Paul Wilbur, my longtime favorites.)
Finally, I turned on my HP laptop, complete with broken screen. It was 4:45 a.m. Over two hours later (just to help you with the math.)
Sometimes it takes me a little while to get on to what the Lord really wants me to do. Like walk in unity, that I want to further share about. (Sidetracks happen.) J
Do you ever wonder why it takes us so long to actually do what the Lord wants us to do? I sometimes grow weary on waiting. Especially when it takes years for a promise from Him to come about in my life. Imagine the patience He has had, after praying that prayer of unity for us, in Jerusalem, near the Temple Mount, around 33 A.D. (only 1978 years ago.)
That prayer that petitioned His Father, God Almighty, for us, His sons and daughters, to walk in unity. Is Jesus wearied by our lack of cooperation, and does He know something we don’t know?
The English alphabet spelling of “unity” is interesting, especially if you are using the “New Steve of Charlotte Version” of the dictionary. Whenever I have “spoken” new, creative words that are already in my dictionary, some have laughed. My response thus far has been simply, “Every new word begins at some point in time. I just created a new one.” (I like George W. Bush a lot. Sarah Palin too. Very creative!)
So consider this. Unity starts with “U” (as in the text version of “you.”) Add the “N” (as also in text language for “and.”) Place “I” in the middle (so we each have someone on both sides of us to uphold and walk next to.) Then bring on the “T” (as in “together”), and finish strong, with a bang, using the English letter “Y”. Why? Because He prayed it. (Or as Curtis Loftin suggested, “Y” is for “Yeshua (Jesus)”, where we can be together in Him.
Now repeat this out loud with me. “You and I together”. Y? Because He prayed it. Yeshua.
God’s prayers will get answered. They will get fulfilled. They simply will happen. My prayer is that it will happen in my lifetime. With you and me. With the church down the highway. With the one across the railroad tracks. Include the ones of the “other color” of people that He has already included among His own. And absolutely be sure to keep the part of His Body that proclaims Yeshua is the Messiah (which He is.)
Look around you. Who is the Lord asking you to walk in unity with? He and/or she may already be standing there. If not, I hope you find them soon and get connected. You and I need each other now more than ever.
Have a good ahava day. Beautiful here in Charlotte!
Steve
P.S. Love For His People, Inc. sends monthly financial support to believers “on the ground” in Jerusalem, and to an orphanage in Accra, Ghana, cared for by a Messianic Jew named Ephraim. We also give as we can to assist a reliable work in Hyderabad, India, called Lighthouse Center India, founded by John Ebenezer. We appreciate your special gifts. You can donate now on-line by clicking here http://www.loveforhispeople.com/, for our website “Giving Opportunities” page. Or by sending checks to the address below. Todah rabah! (Hebrew - Thank you very much.)
©2011 Steve Martin Love For His People, Inc. P.O. Box 470035 Charlotte, NC 28247-0035
Facebook pages: Steve Martin and Love For His People Twitter: martinlighthous and LovingHisPeople
Blogger: http://loveforhispeople.blogspot.com
Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858. Tax deductible contributions sent by mail or on-line will receive an e-receipt for each donation. (Plus you too can bless others through your favorite ahava messenger!) Ahava Love Letter #10 In the Year of our Lord Jan. 12, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Ahava Love letter - "Heroes"
Ahava Love Letter
“Heroes”
“Train up a child in the way he should go. And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Prov. 22:6
Dear family of friends,
Growing up brings many influencing events and subjects into our lives. These come to us, and at us, from many sources. Family, friends, school, work, sports, and entertainment personnel shape our thoughts and ideas of life, and for life. Molding, shaping, directing as we walk on by.
There are several outside of my family that brought encouragement, commitment and a sense of duty in my youth and beyond. These did it unknowingly, for they didn’t even know who I was. (In some cases, birth hadn’t even come about as yet for yo!) But their messages and stories of courage, persistence and fortitude impacted my life, and still do.
Over the years I read many biographies. I watched. I listened. I imitated as I could. I learned what to do, and what not to do. Determined to continue to bend, adjust, and always pray more, growth came.
To name a few of these influencers, which were “heroes” in those days now gone, the following come to mind.
Teacher/Coach: Sister Mary Matthew – Immaculate Conception first grade teacher in Gilbertville, IA., who survived her first grade 50 students. Duke Dutkowski – high school baseball coach at Columbus in Waterloo, IA. We won many. State finals in 1972!
Believers: Moses, who led His people to freedom. St. Francis of Assisi – and many more “saints” and martyrs of the faith. Eric Liddell (“Chariots of Fire” movie fame) – 1924 Olympic gold winner and missionary to China. Billy and Franklin Graham – father and son, carry on. Derek Prince – Bible teacher, Israel! Don Moen – worship leader whom I admire greatly. Rick Joyner – along with Julie and team, MorningStar has been a great inspiration for the last 24 years. David Livingstone – adventurer in Africa. (Still will happen!)
Leaders: Abraham Lincoln – 16th President of the USA during Civil War. Ronald Reagan – 40th President of the USA in the 80’s. George W. Bush – 43rd President of the USA. His terms will be honored. David Ben Gurion & Golda Meir – Israel Prime Ministers who led their young (but 3000 years old) country against all odds.
Actors: Gregory Peck (“To Kill A Mocking Bird” actor, as Atticus Finch). Of course Steve Martin, comedian.
Sports Figures: (1) Daniel Eugene "Rudy" Ruettiger – Notre Dame running back (for only one or two plays his senior year.) My Dad and I met him about 12 years ago. Jerome Lukas wanted to bless my Dad, before he passed on (due to lymphoma cancer). (2) Harmon Killebrew* – Minnesota Twins MLB in the 70’s – over 500 home runs. Go Twins! (3) Barry Sanders – NFL Detroit Lions running back (even though he left the sport before his time was finished.) (24) And of course #24, Jeff Gordon! (NASCAR 4-time champion!)
Employers – Russ Rolinger – 1st boss ever (other than my daily paper route in 1967), in Cedar Falls, IA. – owner of Rolinger’s Restaurant. Ellis & Noelle Clark – Hasselbring-Clark Co. business owners in Lansing, MI. Seven years of appreciated service. David Selby (International Executive Dir. - Derek Prince Ministries in Ft. Lauderdale and Charlotte).
Each of these individuals put something in my life, which continues to have lasting value. I can recall how they each dealt with situations that arose and brought challenges to overcome. They achieved something that cost them something. They left an appreciative and honorable mark for those who would, and did, follow. (A few of them still do!)
But the One Who has had the most impact in my life, and for all eternity will, is the One Who created all of these heroes. He is the One who sits on the throne, before and after He Himself “walked the walk” on this young planet.
Jesus came into my life when I was around five or six (that I was aware of.) I was in the first grade. He had already placed me within a family, with parents who themselves laid down their lives for mine. Then He surrounded me with seven siblings (along with my pet dog Tawny, a straggly old mutt!) who learned to love one other. (I loved to tease my five sisters though!)
Jesus taught me, through His Holy Spirit, by leading me on, whether I knowingly or unknowingly acknowledged Him; through the trials, the tribulations, the joys and the fantastic travels of life thus far. Learning to hear His voice, discern between good and evil, and allow Him to ultimately mold me into His image, is still an ongoing, lifelong process. But I am glad He is.
You too have heroes in your life. You too have opportunities to hear His voice, to be led by His Holy Spirit, and to encourage others along the way to do the same. Keep on walking the walk He has thus far brought you on, to get you to this point in your life. Acknowledge Him in all your ways. Give thanks for the good that is ahead of you, for His plans are always good.
He will continue to light the way, for His purposes to be achieved in our lives. We are even given another year to know Him. Allow Him to make it your best year yet.
Carry on comrades!
Ahava to all,
Steve
P.S. Love For His People, Inc. sends monthly financial support to believers “on the ground” in Jerusalem, Accra (Ghana, Africa) and in Hyderabad, India. We appreciate your special gifts. You can donate now on-line by clicking here http://www.loveforhispeople.com/, for our website and use the “Giving Opportunities” tab, or by sending checks to the address below. Todah rabah! (Hebrew - Thank you very much.)
*(Sidebar) As a young kid, I had a “Harmon Killebrew” signature wooden baseball bat. I pretended I was him when I swung, to hit a home run. In 1972, my junior year of high school, as the center fielder, our team went to the state finals. My school record of triples and walks stayed on the school gym wall for many years. My desire to emulate one of my heroes helped me reach goals, and helped teach me life disciplines. Our “heroes” encourage us!
Love For His People, Inc. P.O. Box 470035 Charlotte, NC 28247-0035 Facebook pages: Steve Martin and Love For His People Twitter: martinlighthous and LovingHisPeople Blogger: http://loveforhispeople.blogspot.com/ E-mail: loveforhispeople@gmail.com
Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858. Tax deductible contributions sent by mail or on-line will receive e-receipt for each donation. (Plus you too can bless others through your favorite ahava letterman!)
© 2011 Steve Martin Share freely and forward on! Ahava Love Letter #9 In the year of our Lord Jan. 5, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Ahava Love Letter - "Colors"
“Colors”
“…though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool (snow).” Isaiah 1:18b
Dear family of friends,
Colors. Blue and white. Red and green. Yellow and black. Black and white. Colors all around us. Some more prominent than others.
Back in the day (like the ones the country group Rascall Flatts sing about in their song, “Mayberry”, when “everything was black and white”), life in Cedar Falls, Iowa was basic growing up time in the ‘60’s and early ’70’s. As typical Midwestern youth, my friend Rusty and I had our Schwinn Sting ray bikes, the ones with the big Texas steer handles and the banana seats. We obeyed the traffic signals, stuck out our hands when turning left or right, and occasionally remembered to ring the bell when approaching the “slow ones” on the sidewalk. (Ricky Bobby had nothing on me.)
Once I became a sophomore at Columbus Catholic High School in Waterloo, I had gotten my first real ride.
Thanks to my oldest sister Sue, I became the proud owner of her former black and white 1957 Ford Fairlane. I had gotten a great deal for $150 (almost a half year’s savings of working at Rolinger’s Hamburger joint, no less, at $1.10 per hour!) Even though it was a 4-door, at least it had doors. And when I added the glass pack muffler, to give it that extra “loud” flare driving down Main Street, life was worth living. Dad wondered why I wanted noise, but then he gave me a booming reverb add-on for my three station button radio. That made it real special.
After I meticulously added the white pin stripes around the black trimmed windows, oh so carefully with my craftsman-like precision fingers, the freshman girls even looked. At least once.
Things were indeed more simple back then.
Flash back to grade school, I remember what occurred when you mouthed off in class. My 6th grade nun Sister Robert Cecille took me once to the older nun’s office, who was the Principal. I only had to go there that time (the other kids used to call me “Brown Nose”), but even still, that room was one place you didn’t want to go. Just “walking the plank” up the stairs to the second floor at St. Patrick’s Elementary gave you extra time to put the fear of God in your heart. Sister’s black and white nun’s outfit, called a habit, with the pointed cap hiding her short black hair (we saw it one time – a very rare occasion), clearly indicated the need in my life to respect and appreciate authority.
When Father Thomas Purcell, dressed daily in his black shirt and black pants, with a white collar around his neck, put me in charge of the altar boys schedule while I was in 8th grade, he unknowingly helped me raise funds for my new black Panasonic cassette player. Any one remember? The one with the automatic off switch, so the battery expense wouldn’t be so large. I liked Diana Ross & The Supremes songs the best.
Being the “brains” that I was (thank you Lord!), I scheduled myself to serve the priest at Mass for most of the Saturday weddings. The groom was always in a good mood, so the $5 tip usually received made me smile real big too. (The funerals I gave to others. Not so profitable.)
For each Mass, whether it was “high or low”, wedding, funeral, holy days or just the 20-minute daily Mass, we put on our black and white cossacks, as they were called, over our street clothes, and did our thing. (Sidebar: Many symbols in the Roman Catholic Church had their roots in the Jewish culture, the early Christian community. We need to get back to those Hebraic roots, and cease with the Replacement Theology garbage, as many Christian churches throughout the world erroneously believe.)
Today, black and white has turned gray. The Ten Commandments are not allowed in the schools, our courtrooms, or any public places that I am aware of. Many in this current youth generation, following after parents who also have lost their way, after dismissing the rules and regulations as too restrictive decades ago, are wandering aimlessly. Anything goes, when it comes to doing the number one thing – being entertained. And so people burn themselves up by practicing their “freedom”, with out of marriage sex, drugs of all sorts, and over indulgence of drink.
Many have lost the beauty of the simple standard, basic colors, and instead have accepted the ugly ones.
Black and white. Yes, simple and basic. The way of life given to us by the living God of Israel, to give us life.
Red is a very good color. It represents the Blood that enables us to see clearly black and white. I like black and white, but I like red the best. And I give Him thanks daily because of His love shed for you and me.
Ahava to my family of friends.
Steve
P.S. It was good seeing all the teens and young adults at the Charlotte, NC Samaritan's Purse distribution center warehouse in December, helping to put together over two million Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. "Train up a child in the way he should go. And when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)
P.S.S. Love For His People, Inc. sends monthly financial support to believers “on the ground” in Jerusalem, and to an orphanage in Accra, Ghana, cared for by a Messianic Jew named Ephraim. We also give as we can to assist a very reliable work in Hyderabad, India, called Lighthouse Center India, founded by John Ebenezer. We appreciate your special gifts.
You can donate your end-of year gift now on-line by clicking here http://www.loveforhispeople.com/ for our website “Giving Opportunities” tab, or by sending checks to the address below. Todah rabah! (Hebrew - Thank you very much.)
©2010 Steve Martin Love For His People, Inc. P.O. Box 470035 Charlotte, NC 28247-0035 www.loveforhispeople.com
Facebook pages: Steve Martin and Love For His People Twitter: martinlighthous and LovingHisPeople
Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858. Tax deductible contributions sent by mail or given on-line will receive an e-receipt for each donation, for you to print out. (Saves the ministry on postage and envelopes!) Plus you too can bless others through your favorite ahava letterman!
Ahava Love Letter #8 In the Year of Our Lord: 12/28/10
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Ahava Love Letter - "Christmas Greeting"
Ahava Love Letter
Dec. 2010
For all our family of friends, a merry merry Christmas poem for you.
"You are busy.
This is short.
Merry Christmas to all.
God bless your fort!”
Short and sweet, right?! Now I have to go wrap Laurie’s extra surprise present. (It’s a mug with her initial on it! But please don’t tell her. She will say she has too many mugs already.) She is a real blessing, as are our Moms, our children (and Chelsie!), grandkids, and future son-in-law too!
May you be more aware of His blessings in the coming year, those coming down from the forever reigning King Jesus’ throne. For He is the Lion of Judah, and the Ruler of the nations.
May you also be a blessing, and pass onto others that love that falls on your head and passes through your heart from Him.
Ahava to all!
Steve & Laurie
P.S. Regular "full length" Ahava Love Letters will resume in 2011. Happy New Year too!
End of Year Contributions & “Giving Opportunities” – Click Here:
2010 Steve Martin Love For His People, Inc. P.O. Box 470035 Charlotte, NC 28247-0035
Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization, Fed. ID#27-1633858. Tax deductible contributions sent by mail or given on-line will receive an e-receipt for each gift. Ahava Love Letter #8 121710
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Ahava Love Letter - "The Prince & The Silver Hairs" (#7)
Ahava Love Letter
“The Prince & The Silver Hairs”
“And he said (to the Lord), “Here I am.”” (Exodus 3:4)
The Lord speaks: “Come now therefore, and I will send you…” (Exodus 3:10)
Dear family of friends,
Have you ever seen The Prince of Egypt animated movie?
Dream Works' first American traditionally animated musical film of Moses and the Exodus, The Prince of Egypt, came out on December 18, 1998. I read where the concept arose unexpectantly from a conversation Jeffrey Katzenberg, Steven Spielberg and David Geffen had in 1994. The film was nominated for best Original Music Score and won for Best Original Song at the 1999 Academy Awards for "When You Believe". The pop version of the song was performed at the ceremony by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. (I still love it!)
It may have had a big impression on my kids. I don’t remember. But I know it certainly did on me. So much so, that after I had set up the church bookstore at All Nations Church on Granite Street in Charlotte in 1997 (in the former kitchen), and then when we purchased and moved onto the Heritage USA/PTL former Fort Hope property, where the store became "The Glory Barn" (Ruth Heflin influence), I wanted to share this message as much as I could.
When the CDs, DVDs, pictorial story books, logo cups, etc. came out, I waited just a bit longer to buy a mass quantity on clearance shelves at the "big boxes", to make available in that "smaller box." Something, or Someone, had given me the desire to share this story, and hope it would have the same impact it had on me, with others. Especially to get this story into the hands of little kids who are so imprinted and impacted during their young ages.
Now over 10 years later, while waiting for our four grown kids, with Josh’s spouse Chelsie, Christen’s fiancé’ Andrew, and our four grandkids to come over for the annual Thanksgiving dinner this year, I re-discovered our DVD copy of The Prince of Egypt sitting on the TV shelf, behind the glass door case. I pulled it out and popped it in. Still a great movie.
Lately I had been wondering about Moses again. What was it really like for him in his 40 year "desert", both naturally and spiritually? What was the Lord doing, when He led, and then seemingly left, the former exalted prince out there in that wilderness? How did this Moses, once next in line to Pharoah, raised to rule an empire that would rank high on the list for all time, end up sitting around sheep and camels in a hot, dry desert? For 40 years no less. (Sidebar: Did you know Moses was about 55 years old in comparison to life spams now, when the Lord sent him back to Egypt? Do the math, using his full 120 years and our current lifespan of about 75-80 yrs.)
How many of you, along with me, feel like you may have just spent (or still are?) 40 years in “the desert”? Thinking and wondering and questioning if you too would be "used of God again", or even for the first time? As I have, did you too question if those desires, the ones you just knew the Lord put in your heart long ago, quite possibly in your tween or teen years, would ever come to pass? Or were they just life-long aches, that pressed even more when you saw others doing so great, experiencing fulfillment of "their calling", while you seemed to “sit on the bench" and just long inside for those opportunities? Maybe not? Maybe so.
Quite possibly you had some glimpses or moments when encouragement did come, but they were few and far between. But you kept faithful and pushed on. For many of us, the historically true story of Moshe' (his Hebrew name), leader of the once enslaved Israelites who guided them out of Egyptian bondage, is encouraging. He made it out of the desert.
But what happened when he was in his desert? Why was the time so long, and so obscure for him? Why has it been for many of us?
I have often heard that in construction, the more massive the building structure is to be, the deeper the foundation that must be built. I am not an engineer or architect, in the natural, but life experiences do count for something. (Along with those "white hairs" of wisdom, which number even more so!)
Looking back on our Ft. Lauderdale, Florida days (those “seven tough years in Egypt” as Laurie and I called them), while our family was at Good News Church from 1987-1994 (where the international ministries of Derek Prince, Mahesh and Bonnie Chavda, and Jim Croft first flourished in those years) then Senior Pastor Geoff Buck shared a prophetic word. It was one that I have "logged into from the memory hard drive in my brain" several times.
Either directly from his mouth, or previously spoken through another, I heard something like this out of his mouth. "The time of the silver-hairs will come. And the Lord wants you to know that in the meantime He isn't finished with you. In fact, it will be "that time” when you are the most productive.” (Sidebar: As for the “silver-hairs”, I trust the Lord would also include those who have, let me be careful in how I say this, have them “Covered them up with another color”??!!”)
Does this give hope for you? It certainly did for me, even when I was in my late 30’s!
When on my 55th birthday, Nov. 23, 2009, the Lord said specifically to me, "Now is the time", it spoke two things to me: the waiting (desert) time was over and a release had come to have my own vineyard to grow and care for. (I wrote about this more elaborately in one of my first Ahava Love Letters. For that one and all the letters which have been written thus far, go to http://www.loveforhispeople.com/ and look under the Ahava Love Letters tab.)
From the bottom of my heart, I hope it is the time for you too, and that your most important desert training time is over or about to be completed. Our country, spouses, kids and grandkids, and extended families need our leadership, encouragement and hope, for now and in the future. With our “desert time diploma in hand”, we can now get up, get going, and do that which the Lord God of Israel has been preparing deep within us over these many, many years.
Ahava, my family of friends,
Steve
P.S. Caring for sheep, goats and camels must be a tough job. When I see the Bedouins and shepherds in Israel out in the hot, sandy, rocky desert doing it, I give thanks to the Lord for the air-conditioned bus I am on! Come along with us on our next Ahava Adventures trip in November, 2011. Or if you can’t make this one, go shop for “not life-size” camel and sheep stuffed animals at our new Shalom Inspirations gift shop in the BLACKLION complex in Pineville, NC on Park.
Either one is a good time!
P.S.S. Love For His People, Inc. sends monthly financial support to believers “on the ground” in Jerusalem, and to an orphanage in Accra, Ghana, cared for by a Messianic Jew named Ephraim. We also give as we can to assist a reliable work in Hyderabad, India, called Lighthouse Center India, founded by John Ebenezer. We appreciate your special gifts. You can donate now on-line by clicking here http://www.loveforhispeople.com/, for our website “Giving Opportunities” website page, or by sending checks to the address below. Todah rabah! (Hebrew - Thank you very much.)
©2010 Steve Martin Love For His People, Inc. P.O. Box 470035 Charlotte, NC 28247-0035
Facebook pages: Steve Martin and Love For His People Twitter: martinlighthous and LovingHisPeople
Blogger: http://loveforhispeople.blogspot.com
Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858. Tax deductible contributions sent by mail or on-line receive an e-receipt for each donation. (Plus you too can bless others through your favorite ahava letterman!)
Ahava Love Letter #7 121410
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Ahava Love Letter - "He Knows Your Name"
Ahava Love Letter
“He Knows Your Name”
“…and you shall call His name Emmanuel (God with us.)” (Isaiah 7:14)
Dear family of friends,
Have you ever wondered why the Lord has written so many personal names in His Word to us? Ever think about how you got your name?
On Monday, Dec. 6, 2010, after my regular time of reading His Scripture He so faithfully gave to the nations, through the Jewish people, still His chosen ones, I was overcome by His passion of love and care for each of us, as I sat in my brown, swivel prayer chair (the one my Mom gave me several years ago, after she got another one. I broke a back bottom spring in it three weeks ago, so it is a bit awkward now sitting in it. Oh well. Adjust as you can I have learned.)
Around 6:10 am that morning, I had just finished reading Nehemiah 7, as part of my daily routine reading on Mondays through Fridays. This was after reading more verses from Exodus, about Moses and his leadership, which I had also been pondering on lately.
When I reached the long list of names in this chapter from the book of Nehemiah, I was tempted, as I had often done in the past when getting to long lists of names, to skip past the individuals. Mainly because I can’t pronounce them anyway. Even silently in my head.
But then the Holy Spirit stopped me. (I love it when He interrupts my Bible reading to tell me something special.) He quietly and simply said, “Read the names.”
“Ok.” So I did.
It reads, “These are the people of the province who came back from the captivity, of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, everyone to his city. Those who came with Zerubbabel were Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum and Baanah.”
Ok, I thought. I made it through this first list. I could say about four of the names. I felt I had accomplished something.
“Keep reading,” He spoke again.
I quickly glanced at the next page and a half. There were a lot of names! This would take me at least ten minutes to get through them all, I thought, if I try to think about how to say them right.
“Keep reading,” He quietly nudged me again.
“Ok”, I spoke back from my spirit. So I continued reading on, giving a little bit more attention.
“The number of the men of the people of Israel: the sons of Parosh, two thousand one hundred and seventy-two… (Sidebar: have you ever noticed how accurate the Lord is too about numbers? Having done enough accounting for over 30 years, I have!); the sons of Shephatiah, three hundred and seventy-two; the sons of Arah, six hundred and fifty-two…” And the list went on for 57 more verses, before it also came to the listings of the exact number of animals, gold offerings, and such.
I finished the chapter. Closed the Bible, and started to pray. Monday is now our Martin family regular prayer and fast day (thanks sister Mary for setting and keeping this up!), so I started praying in tongues. My normal habit. (Holy Spirit knows the individual needs better than I do, even if written down in front of me on a prayer list.)
After a bit of time I received the thought to send out a few e-mails to beloved friends in Israel, Africa and India, to let them know I was praying for them especially that day too, for their encouragement. Then I wanted to post a verse on my Facebook page, so I picked up my Maxwell Leadership Bible again (New King James version) at 6:15 am, and thumbed into my Blackberry a posting onto my profile page. It was the following thought.
“Why does Adonai name, by name, so many people in His Word? Another demonstration of His love. Same for you and me - He knows our name.”
Holy Spirit spoke to me again.“Do you realize what I just had you write?”
“Well” I replied back, hoping it wasn’t a “trick” question and I’d get the answer right. “He knows our name.” (That’s a good thing, right?)
Within seconds, my heart began to whelm up with overcoming compassion. Tears started falling from my eyes, and my chest moved a bit further out a few times. My nose started clogging up with (well, you know what…)
“He knows our name. He knows our name. He knows our name.” It kept being repeated in my brain.
From deeper and deeper the sobs came, as He had me consider all those people who were, even at that very moment throughout the world, asking themselves, “Does anyone even know my name?”, as they sat in despair, loneliness, depression, and utter discouragement. “Does anyone even know my name?
More and more His love came over me. Intercession for those, through the sobs and all.
“He knows their names. HE KNOWS THEIR NAMES. Yes He does! Yes He does! Yes He does!”, my spirit was reaffirming through me, as He ministered to them through this intercession.
After repeated times of this, I got up from my chair, went and blew my nose, and came back to thank the Lord for His love. His everlasting and ever present love that He is continually pouring out to the nations. To the individuals He created, and continues to create. And to you individually.
If you are one of those who has wondered at times (and who hasn’t?), or even now, asking if anyone cares, or even knows your name, and you have this God-given eternal desire to have someone express real love to you, for you, about you; for someone to really know who you are, even as simple as it may seem, to know your name, and your importance, and your very being… Let me reaffirm to you now, from the deepest part of my heart as I can; from the deepest part of His heart - HE KNOWS YOUR NAME!
He knows your name. Say it to yourself again. “He knows my name.”
And He loves you. He provides for you. He laid down His life for you. And He will ALWAYS be with you, as you call on His name. Jesus. Yeshua. Adonai. Whatever you know His name as, He knows yours.
Ahava to all my family of friends,
Steve
P.S.. Love For His People, Inc. monthly sends financial support to believers “on the ground” in Jerusalem, and to an orphanage in Accra, Ghana, cared for by my “adopted son”, Ephraim, a Messianic Jew. We also give as we can to assist a reliable work in Hyderabad, India, called Lighthouse Center India, founded by John Ebenezer. Please read his attached field report from Dec. 6, 2010 also.
We appreciate your special gifts. You can donate now on-line by clicking here http://www.loveforhispeople.com/, for our website’s “Giving Opportunities” page, or by sending checks to the address below.
Todah rabah! (Hebrew for” Thank you very much!”) And don’t forget to enjoy, appreciate, and thank Him for His love for you too.
©2010 Steve Martin Love For His People, Inc. P.O. Box 470035 Charlotte, NC 28247-0035
Facebook pages: Steve Martin and Love For His People Twitter: martinlighthous and LovingHisPeople
Blogger: http://loveforhispeople.blogspot.com
Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858. Tax deductible contributions sent by mail or given on-line will receive an e-receipt for each donation, for you to print out. (Saves on postage and envelopes!) Plus you too can bless others through your favorite ahava letterman! Ahava Love Letter #6 Date: Dec. 7, 2010
John Ebenezer – Field Report
LighthouseCenter India
Hyderabad, India A.P.
Dec. 6, 2010
(Note: John’s message has been printed just as he wrote it. No edits have been done, for the purpose of you experiencing the actual report! John has literally built 36 church buildings, trained the pastors to lead the new flock, and provided ½ acre of land next to the building to grow red hot peppers. That provides ongoing income for the pastors. At a remarkable cost of just $7000 each.
This is just part of what he has done over his 70 years of life thus far. Now I would call him an “apostle” if ever I knew one! He is a remarkable man of God, just out there “doing the work.”
Love For His People, Inc . seeks to provide him with $100 a month to assist in the “labor” costs of birthing new life in the Hindu/Moslem villages! After reading below, think about how you can put good seed into good, productive ground.)
Monday, 7:27 PM (USA ET)
My Dear Steve,
shalom, praise the Lord. I have received many mails from you, as I am on the villages and for rural evangelisem and having few meetings in 6 villages 13 people are saved by His grace and 6 young people committed for their life to Christ, and I was heled up on of the trial village for another tribal village,because the district was shutdown for the day by politcal groups,any how GOD is so good to me and I am able to travel next day,in this mean time I have baby dedications 6,and oe house warming service one all night worship at sulanagaram, praiase the lord there is agreat mirical in the village ast year we have fasted and prayed for one hindu family who have no children,now I saw them having a baby now thy are coming to our chruch past 7 months the same baby I did baby dedication,praise the lord, as I am again traveling to villages from 14th to 26th I will be at mucherla and other villages, on 25th I have to take worship service in 7 chruchs in the night and back home on 27th then 29 leave back for new year services the same 7 service to take in the night and will be home on 4th jan,2011, on 6and 7th I have to go for my testes with doctor on 10th with reports I have to see my personal Doctor for check up,ten again I have travel on 15th to orrisa and chittsgarh because I have to see the new converts in two differnt village thy are all koyas tribe,very strong believers in the past three years,even thou thy are very poor much happy in the LORD so I have take new year service with same groups make them happy ,with my visit in new year.by GODs grace one sister patrice ladson she gave me 500 dollars offering for the new clothing for the christmas for the pastors and believers in the villages now I have aken 100 sarees and 60 astors dresses and 100 for men dress like (pancha and shirt) which old people use not pants.any howGOD is good all the time HE provided for them halelujah...thank you Jesus.
this cloths I give from the light house center India for the people in the villages,I thank you for your mails which I have gone through all it was encouraging and filled with love,still I am learing more from your letters,shalom.please let me know the dates of cathirnes marriage so we have to pay on that day at mcuerla church and other chruchs too,because many many people thy all love you so much praying for your ministry in india and afirca, I am seeing GOD to provide house at hyderabad for the lght house center to keep the children and give them education and care let it come by HIS time lets have HOPE in HIM all things are possible who BELIEVES IN HIM allelujah.
please pray for India,I am so happy hat you have with Franklin graham which I have seen him first time you are the second time, please greet all the partners from me and sister land all the family members of yours, I love to see them again GOD willing, may the JOY OF THE LORD WITH YOU ALL, SEASONS GREETINGS>
In His service
JohN Ebenezer
Ahava for all
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