Love For His People

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Ahava Love Letter - "Raise & Release - Not Catch & Cook"

Ahava Love Letter

“Raise Up & Release – Not Catch & Cook”

“He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. (Eph. 4:16 NLT)

Dear family of friends,

Back in the day, in a real small section of southwest Minnesota, my older cousin Richard Shultz and I “went fishin’.” Well, I tagged along at least. I was about 12.

We hiked along the cold spring stream, poles and gear in hand. The former “Catch & Keep” fish pond, that had been stocked with bullheads (and some good fish) for nearby state park campers, was just a mile from his house. It had been shut down for years. We didn’t cut the barbed wire to get in. That would have been wrong. So we just pulled it apart. With a town of less than 200, no one cared about this forgotten hole anymore.

I had never caught so much fish before in my life. It had always been too boring back at the golf course pond in Cedar Falls, IA. But here was a different fish story! It was great! Toss the line. Reel it back in. Pull the bullhead off the hook and do it again. After 32 of them (no, I don’t exaggerate, but I did count them!) we had our work cut out for us in getting them back to his house and preparing them to fry. (Now you know my good wife would never allow these “unkoshered” fish in our house this current day!)

Remembering that story brings me to this one. Laurie and I, on our earlier prophesied “labyrinth journey” these past 33 years together (labyrinth – “an intricate structure of interconnecting passages through which it is difficult to find one's way; a maze”) has taken us to many locations and experiences (*see below.) Many of you have gone on this journey also. (Maybe still are!) Along the way, we had good, and needed, training times.

The places we tremendously appreciated over these past years were the organizations with leadership who had hearts to “raise up and release” those the Lord had entrusted into their hands for a certain period. Those places with the “catch and cook” mentality were more of a challenge. Though some members were indeed called to stand alongside and serve with the appointed leadership for many years, many others were brought into their care for the purpose of training, supporting, releasing and walking together in unity, even more so, as each moved onward.

If you are a member of a church family that treasures each and every part of the Body, you are indeed blessed. If you need to be in one that is truly seeking to raise up and release people for God-given callings, and you are not experiencing that, then my prayer is that the Lord will direct your steps to another place. If that may mean a move for you, then seek the Lord for His response. Then hear and obey.

It is going to be very vital and important, even right now, that you and your family are in the right place. Each member of the Body of Christ needs to know their place and part, and be it. We are going to need each other, even more so in these coming days and years of trial.

As for my final thought, I don’t think we are getting “raputured out of here” before a lot more happens. That keeps my perspective in line, to raise up and release, not catch and cook.

Ahava to you my family of friends,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People, Inc.

This isn’t your “basic tour” time. We go where not many can, or would go, for we want to be more adventurous, more supportive, and experience even more what Israel’s people and land is about in this day and age. We do see spiritually and historically important locations, but our primary focus is to bless the ones living the day to day life there. Curious enough to find out further? Contact info is below.

Can’t go yourself? Please consider sponsoring a friend, family member, or person in your church, especially of “the next generation” age group. Trust the Lord to highly impact their lives for life, to impart to them a heart for His people that will never leave them, and give them an adventure they will never forget. (Heh, it is tax-deductable for you too. In part or full, it doesn’t matter.)

One special note: When we are there in The Promised Land, we will spend time with three local organizations that serve the youth and so many more of Israel, each in their special ways. One of these will be with us at the Beit Tikvah meeting on March 25, 2011. Friday night, 7 pm, Antioch International Church, in Fort Mill, SC. After meeting him, you may want to come and see what they do first hand with the youth in Jerusalem!

We also will be having a Passover Seder on Good Friday, April 18, 2011. We can only hold 200, so please get your $10 registration tickets ASAP at Antioch International Church, home of Beit Tikvah.

*Our Labyrinth Connections

I. Churches

A. Victory Community Church – LaSalle/Peru, IL 1977-1980

B. Shiloh Fellowship/New Covenant Christian Church - East Lansing, MI 1980-1987

C. Good News Church – Ft. Lauderdale, FL. 1987-1992

D. Cornerstone Church – Davie, FL 1992-1994

E. All Nations Church (part of the founding members of five couples) – Ft. Lauderdale, Fl & Charlotte, NC 1994-2001

F. Cornerstone Church – Pineville, NC 2001-2004

G. St. Giles Presbyterian – Charlotte, NC 2004-2007

H. MorningStar Fellowship – Fort Mill, SC 2007-2010

I. Antioch International Church – Fort Mill, SC 2010 to present (on the pastoral team)

II. Ministries

A. Derek Prince Ministries (1987-1990, 2001-2005

B. Mahesh Chavda Ministries (1987-2000)

C. Vision for Israel (2005-2010)

III. Boards

A. Christian Friends of Israel (USA) 1994-2009

B. Christians for Messiah Ministries 2008-present

C. Love For His People 2010 to present (Founders/President & VP)

Love For His People, Inc. truly appreciates your generous support. Please consider donating now on-line by clicking here http://www.loveforhispeople.com/ for our website’s “Giving Opportunities” tab, or by sending checks to the address below. Todah rabah! (Hebrew - Thank you very much.)

E-mail: ahavaloveletters@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin and Love For His People

Twitter: martinlighthous and LovingHisPeople

Blogger: http://loveforhispeople.blogspot.com/ YouTube: loveforhispeopleinc

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!)

On the Sea of Galilee heading towards Capernaum.

Photo by Steve Martin

Ahava Love Letter #19 Date: March 22, in the year of our Lord 2011

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Ephraim Shaul & the Oprhans in Liberia - latest report

Ephraim Shaul Report from Liberia

March 19, 2011

Steve Martin

March 19 at 12:40pm

Ephraim,

Shabbat shalom. Tell me how you all are doing now that you have gotten out of Ghana and made it to Liberia safely. Are you in a town, city, out in the country? How is the food?

We are praying for the Lord's daily provision for you and the orphans.

Ahava,

Dad

Ephraim Shaul March 19 at 1:32pm Report

Shabbat Shalom Dad,

Praise be to Adonai for his life care towards us. We're doing well by his grace. Some of the kids were sick,they were suffering from Malarial and fever, but through our Master and Yahshua, now they are doing well. As i told you the other time that before leaving from Ghana i bout some malarial treatment that I'm now treating the kids, and they recover.

We're in Liberia Grand Gedeh county. It's at the east part of Liberia. We're not too far from one of the city name Zwedrue, the capital city of this county.

Dad, it's not that I'm keeping on asking you for money. I know that if you have money, you'll bless us with it. But it's because of the situation with us that's why I'm asking you always. I don't want all your support and effort to go in vain. I think i told you the other day that the Lord reveal this to one of the ladies on our bus that you really love us and and you have more passion on us. You're always with us in prayer.

It just happen that we're in New Land, a new country which we have not seen before. So please don't be up set of i ask you for any thing. You are the only father we have right now on the earth. If i don't mind you next to God in our LIFE. Our Creator is using you to safe our life. Todah for your email and let us keep in touch and prayer. I know that you love us and care for us here.

Still we don''t have place to sleep. And we know that you're with us in prayer. I talk with brother Ben Martin and he's also etxtend his great love to the Kids.

I'll like to stop here for now. Please extend our greeting to MOm and the entire Martin family there.
May the Lord bless you more for your great love and concern towards us. You behave like a true father to us.

Ahava and Shabbat Shalom,

Son and the kids

Ephraim with Israeli flag

Ephraim with the boys he cares for.

Ephraim teaching Shabbat class in Ghana before they had to flee in March.

Ephraim on Skype when we spoke to him.

Beit Tikvah celebrating Purim

The King & Queen - (a.k.a. Gloria & Chuck Williams)

Geoff Graham and Laurie Martin

Colleen Baker

All dressed up for Purim celebration!

Little Big Eagle & Steve Martin

Laurie & Steve Martin

Steve & Laurie Martin dress up for the Beit Tikvah Purim celebration

at Antioch International Church in Fort Mill, SC.

With the worship team and the reading of the entire book of Esther, we had a great time!

Peter Wyns & Steve Martin

Peter Wyns

Senior Pastor Peter Wyns reads the story of Esther (Hadassah), whom the Lord used to save the Jewish people. Thus the beginnings of Purim, celebrating deliverance. Once again!

Reading of the Word with Shabbat Candles Aglow

Paul Wilbur - Lord God Of Abraham - Live

Paul Wilbur - Baruch Adonai

Paul Wilbur - For Your Name is Holy

O Jah Paul Wilbur

Days of Elijah - Paul Wilbur

PAUL WILBUR - HOLY HOLY HOLY - WORTHY - live

#DesertRain Paul Wilbur - Behold The Lord

Toby mac - Made to love

Friday, March 18, 2011

Israeli Navy Uncovers Weaponry Intended for Terrorist Organization in th...

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Jews in India - Morris Ruddick

Dear Steve,

Prior to our departure I wrote that "in the natural, our task might be described as hunting for a needle in a haystack; or even perhaps taking a shot in the dark." We set out on this journey believing that the Lord would uniquely lead each step. Even more than we realized, what we posed to do, in the natural, within the time we scheduled was more than just ambitious, it probably wasn't even realistic.

Yet, due to being convinced this mission was born in the heart of God, in retrospect, the Lord has exceeded our expectations. Praying frequently and taking time to discern developments, we have had many wonderful surprises as the Lord has arranged the pieces of this mosaic in a way we could have never done on our own.

We have traveled to three cities within India: Pune, Goa and Mumbai. We've visited synagogues, ancient Jewish quarters, interviewed rabbis, pastors, nuns, heads of local ministries, a journalist, community leaders, Christian and Jewish-Christian lay people, along with Indian nationals of both Catholic and Jewish heritage. We've been exposed to the history of the Jews in India; reviewed local books with insights into the time of the inquisition in India and visited the ruins of what some feel may be India's original synagogue in Goa, destroyed during the inquisition.

As I share just a few of the highlights, let me say that some things we have sought have not yet materialized; while others have far surpassed what we expected. However, an incredible foundation has been laid for the "next steps." In it all, God has been faithful. We also are so very grateful for your undergirding in prayer, as indeed, through faith and patience we are inheriting the promises (Hebrews 6:12).

The Process
Closing the gap on a word received from God, such as the guidance for this mission, is and has been a process. Our broad guidance, to search for the lost sheep of the House of Israel in India, included a more specific task of seeking Indian nationals of Jewish heritage descended from ones who fled persecution during the inquisition.

On a personal basis, my Israeli Ethiopian partner for this mission has wanted to close the gap on his family origins. The book of Esther notes a connection between Ethiopia and India. My partner has long suspected that his Ethiopian lineage may be traced to roots in India.

The survival of the hidden Jews during inquisition generations was based on their true identities being carefully masked. Gaining the trust of their modern-day descendents bears the same challenge with a definite relationship-building need.

After flying out of Denver and a six-hour layover in Newark, we left on a 15 hour flight to Mumbai. A referral made after our arrival in India put us in touch with a local pastor, whose heart seemed to leap as we shared our mission. Our first meeting with him was delayed several hours first due to his young son getting sick and then his old car breaking down, as he traveled across town to meet with us. After on-site repairs, this brother finally picked us up.

We then found ourselves in Mumbai rush hour, with an extended snarl of traffic in the midst of a tangle of vehicles, going nowhere fast, all trying to out-honk one another, seemingly intent on adding layers to the delays of our inauspicious start. It was roughly 8:30 p.m. that first day before we finally sat down for a meal and were able to make plans with this gracious brother.

The next morning, having hired a car and driver, we still didn't know whether the turbulence at home for this pastor was going to allow him to accompany us to Pune. To our joy, he did and we headed off on the three hour drive through terrain that we heard looked much like Ethiopia.

The Quest Begins
Our visit in Pune began at one of the city's two synagogues. Since the terrorist attack on the Jewish Chabad Center in Mumbai in 2008, entrance is screened and synagogues are guarded by armed Army security. Having called ahead of time, we were warmly welcomed by the rabbi. He explained that he had an active congregation of about 50 families, since most of the Jewish population in Pune had made aliyah, immigration to Israel, almost 50 years prior. This synagogue was on a street aptly named "Israel Lane" in the center of Pune's original Jewish neighborhood.

Our next visit was with a Jewish believer whose roots she could trace back to her Jewish grandfather in Karachi before the Indian/Pakistani partition. After her grandmother died, her grandfather was unable to give proper care to his nine children, so he put them in an orphanage where they were raised as Christians.

She called her cousin who soon joined us with her 88 year old father. As one of the children raised in the Karachi orphanage; he interestingly now lived in Pune's Jewish neighborhood on "Israel Lane." This kindly old man told us the story of his childhood. Yet when my partner spoke to him about his "Jewish" roots, he seemed to react fearfully, saying "no, no I am a Christian." Yet his flat was in the center of the Jewish quarter in Pune.

Their family tradition held they were descended from the Tribe of Benjamin. We heard about a menora passed down from her grandmother. She also shared her lifelong dream of making aliyah to Israel.

The next morning, our local pastor and friend traveling with us, who had grown up in Pune, astutely asked a guard at a complex of flats if there were any Jewish families still living there. This inquiry led to our introducing ourselves to an 84 year old Jewish woman whose son happened to be visiting from Great Britain. They proudly told us of being descended from the tribe of Judah.

They also explained the origins of the Jews in India. After the destruction of the second temple, there had been a shipwreck off the coast of Alibar, north of Goa. The nine surviving families had developed a trade of pressed oil and became known as the Shanivar: the Saturday oil people. We concluded this unplanned warm exchange by singing the Shema with them. A meeting with her younger brother, who was not only one of the former presidents of Pune's two synagogues, but a respected community leader in the city.

This man was a recently retired professor, as well as having been an Air Force pilot for India years prior. He and his Indian-Jewish wife, a double-certified MD, retained a role and status in the upper strata of Indian society. While strongly Jewish in their identities, their roots were clearly as Indian citizens, with no desire to make aliyah.

Going for More Clues
With strong indications that the area of Goa would hold clues to the answers we sought, we left Pune and headed for Goa. The Portuguese settlement at Goa is reputed to be the original locale where those fleeing to India from the Portuguese inquisition had come.

Our driver, who I glibly described as having an Esther anointing ("if I perish, I perish"), expertly navigated our 12 hour drive to Goa through hair-pin curves over mountain passes with 1500 foot drop-offs at speeds that defied gravity, passing trucks and other cars on curves with a bravado that we are glad is now just a memory. The arid hills around Pune gave way to a more tropical environment with monkeys, ox carts and water buffalo adding to the uniquely colored lorries, cars and three-wheeled motor-scooter taxis which were sprinkled along the route.

One of our first meetings in Goa was at a convent. Having dropped our bags at Goa's YMCA, we left to investigate Catholic resources about those we were seeking. Our drive was interrupted as we heard a whine in the engine indicating a bad belt. Within a few minutes we were stranded. Gratefully, instead of this happening at 11 p.m. the night before on a remote mountain road, it happened in front of a car dealership.

Unexpected Rescue
With the driver working on getting our vehicle back into working order, we were then "rescued" by a cheerful nun in a white habit, who arrived in a taxi to pick us up. The five nuns who manage the convent, along with a local kindergarten of 200, greeted us warmly. Our time yielded no tangible clues, but we left with the sense that the sister in charge would be back in touch after making inquiries.

Our Goa meetings concluded the next day with us being taken to an ancient ruin in Old Goa by a Norwegian brother who is married to an Indian national and has lived in India the last 11 years. He operates the local Goa Chamber of Commerce and also has an outreach to both Indian gypsies and the many Israeli soldiers who frequent Goa after concluding their army service. He reflected a deep passion for Goa inquisition history and shared in our desire to discover the hidden or crypto-Jews.

He was particularly keen about my partner's Ethiopian roots. The ancient ruin we visited, that many feel once was a synagogue in Old Goa, includes Ethiopian Orthodox symbols.

Discerning the Pivotal Questions
Having authored three texts on research-based planning, I know there is a stage in any investigation in which the insights gleaned begin to uncover more pivotal questions. From all the input received to this point, more questions are starting to arise. Jewish history is indelibly entwined into Indian history. The Jews shipwrecked on the Western coast grew into a vital part of Indian society. The apostle Thomas came to India during the first century and established the roots of Christianity in the Kerala area of the western coast. The first settlement of the Portuguese preceded the inquisition, but only by a generation. Then with the inquisition in Portugal came more Jews who joined what was already a strong Jewish community in Goa.

It was at that point, that history becomes vague. There already had been vibrant Jewish communities extending along the western coastline from Alibar to Goa to Kerala. Into this setting came the hidden Jews fleeing the inquisition, whose true identities were despised by both Jews and Catholics. The outgrowth of the first century church established by Thomas was another long established part of India's infrastructure in this region at the time. This was this area's mix of European settlers in the mid-1500s, which was followed by what locally is referred to as the Goa inquisition. So, the questions begin.

Thomas, one of the original 12 disciples of Jesus, was a Jew. His church would likely have reflected the strong Jewish roots of the first century church. The question remains whether the post-Constantine church of the fourth century, with its expunging of the original Jewish roots to the church, had made its way to India and reshaped the Thomas Church prior to the settlement of the Portuguese around 1500.

Today there remains little indigenous Jewish population in Goa. With the incredible level of Jewish activity along India's western coast; followed by the influx of the hidden Jews immigrating to Goa: where did all the Jews of that time go? What happened to the hidden Jews? The mystery has led one we spoke with to conclude that the Goa inquisition was all-encompassing and akin to its own holocaust. Without discounting the impact of the inquisition, historical patterns of Jewish persecution more likely support the premise of flight and relocation over the 250 years in question.

Lost Sheep of the House of Israel
Assuming that to be the case, what is the lineage of the fearful 88 year old Jewish Christian we met, who was raised as a Christian in Karachi and then settled in the Jewish quarter in Pune? What about the Jewish believer Yerush whose grandmother passed down a menora? With two of the families interviewed knowing the tribes of Israel of their heritage, is it not likely that we have made initial connections with lost sheep of the house of Israel?

This is proving to just be the start. Indeed, there will be more steps to our quest. The importance of these issues has spilled over to the Indian brethren who have helped and collaborated with us; and to you with your prayers. Likewise, the invitation has already been extended to return with the God's economy program. Our pastor/guide, as General Secretary for his denomination in India is eagerly embracing the mantle to make this happen, along sharing our next steps in discovering the anusim of India.

This has been a most unusual journey. Unlike most I've been on, we've been without any internet access until just before departing and were unable to give you any glimmers of our progress, or to ask for interim prayer support. Yet it's been enough.

Jesus said, "That which is hidden will be revealed and that which is covered will be made known." God's faithfulness with your prayers has already uncovered a great deal; indicating there to be much more. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.

Gratefully in His service,

Morris Ruddick
Global Initiatives Foundation
http://www.strategic-initiatives.org/

Added note by Love For His People: Morris spoke recently at a conference in Charlotte, NC. Here is Part 1 of that message. (Parts 2 and 3 also available.) Morris Ruddick Speaks on the Jewish Gift

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Fogel Family Murdered in Itamar, Israel

The Fogel Family from Itamar, Israel

Murdered March 11, 2011

- in their home by terrorists.

"For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." -- Rabbi Sha'ul of Tarsus

Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." -- Yeshua HaMashiach

Glenn Beck on Itamar Massacre

Monday, March 14, 2011

"Solid in Constant Change" - Ahava Love Letter

Ahava Love Letter

“Solid in Constant Change”

^“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrew 13:8 NASB)

Dear family of friends,

Seasons come and go, except if you live in southern Florida, and other parts of this small globe, where it is just hot and hotter. Or wet and wetter. Some like it that way. I prefer the seasons myself.

In the natural, spring is a great time following a long, hard winter. Blankets and blizzards of snow can be a good change for a while. But after shoveling many feet of the heavy white stuff over several months, you are ready for the next climate rotation. You are looking for the higher, “warmer” sun of the new season. You are ready for change.

Scripture says that the Lord never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. So how is it that the Creator of seasonal change never changes in His love and compassion for the people of earth?

I believe it is through the changes we experience, both in the natural and the spiritual, where we see more of the Lord’s character, and Who He is. When we delight ourselves in His natural changes all around us, and give thanks for the hope that they bring, we can further appreciate the fact that even among continual change that He is constant. What He said He will do. What is written will be done.

I am daily encouraged in my regular Bible reading that His promises spoken to us, and specifically to the Jewish people, are proof of His bedrock truth, even in the midst of ongoing change. As the Jews have gone through so much movement over the past twenty centuries, He has now brought them to their Promised Land. The God Who is the Solid Rock has shown His constant, faithful love for them, and protection over them, even as the world around them erupts in upheaval and uncertainty.

He never changes, and yet works all things for good in the midst of constant change.

The Jewish nation of Israel will always be further ongoing proof of His promises being fulfilled. No person, nation, or enemy in the natural or spiritual will keep them from fulfilling His Word. Not even themselves, among themselves.

Our faith is based on solid ground, that the One Who promised to fulfill His Word, never changes. Even as earthly seasons and the acts of the nations come and go, the fact that Israel and the Jewish people are protected from an ever increasing hostility towards their existence is proof of His constant and living love.

During these times of ongoing upheaval and constant change, the Jewish nation of Israel is a sign to the world of His faithfulness. Our love and support for them must never change, if we serve the God we say we do.

Ahava to you my family of friends,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People, Inc.

One special note: When we are there in The Promised Land, we will spend time with three local organizations that serve the youth and so many more of Israel, each in their special ways. One of these will be with us at the Beit Tikvah meeting on March 25, 2011. Friday night, 7 pm, Antioch International Church, in Fort Mill, SC. After meeting them, you may want to come see what they do first hand with the youth in Jerusalem!

Before then, on Friday, March 18, and again on Sunday, March 20, Antioch International Church and its Beit Tikvah gathering will celebrate the Lord’s feast of Purim. Come if you can. We also will be having a Passover seder on Good Friday in April.

Facebook pages: Steve Martin and Love For His People Twitter: martinlighthous and LovingHisPeople

Blogger: http://loveforhispeople.blogspot.com/ YouTube: loveforhispeopleinc

Ahava Love Letter #18 Date: March 15, in the year of our Lord 2011

Sunday, March 13, 2011

PM Netanyahus Response to the Savage Murder of the Fogel Family

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Al Jolson - Hatikvah

Shevy blowing Shofar

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

The 2 Spies: Prayer

The 2 Spies: Prayer: "Dear Praying Friends In light of the recent attacks and demonstrations on Believers in the Land by the Orthodox community, we are reminde..."

Tehinnah - Prayer Petitions: Purim 5771

Tehinnah - Prayer Petitions: Purim 5771: "Our apologies for having neglected the Tehinnah blog, and hope it has not caused a break in prayer for the religious believers in Israel. Si..."

Monday, March 7, 2011

Jewish Roots, Seasons & Swirls

"As the Church increasingly becomes reacquainted with its Jewish roots, the times call for a reevaluation of the casual way we have regarded seasons the Lord has set aside to corporately realign His people spiritually.
In like fashion, we need to recognize the potential and purpose of the spiritual swirls that manifest during seasons marked by the crazed passions of the enemies of the Lord." (Morris Ruddick, "The Heart of the King")

Jesus in Every Book of the Bible

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Ted Pearce - These Are The Final Days

Hallelu Et Adonai - Ted Pearce in NC

Ted Pearce - Awake O Zion

Ted Pearce - Come House of Jacob (Let Us Walk In The Light of the Lord)

Ted Pearce - Praise The Lord Sing A New Song

Ted Pearce - Holocaust Song - The Forgotten People

Lost Jews in India - Going To Find Them! (Morris Ruddick)

March 6, 2011

Dear Steve,

In roughly 24 hours, together with my Israeli Ethiopian friend Kokeb, I'll be flying to India.

From the time we arrive on India's west coast, we will begin searching for Indian nationals of Jewish heritage, whose ancestors were forceably converted during the inquisition and who later fled from Spain and Portugal as the inquisition scourges continued.

In some circles they are known as conversos or in Hebrew as anusim. In others they are referred to as hidden (or crypto) Jews, having secretly retained and passed down certain Jewish practices, within their families, from one generation to another.

In Jeremiah's days, the Lord spoke to a unique family-group known as the Rechabites (Jer 35). Their faithfulness to obey the mandate passed down by their forebearer and adhere to vows he had made, brought them honor from the prophet and the promise of safety and a word from God that "Jehonadab son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before Me forever."

This trans-generational mantle parallel is at the heart of our mission of identifying and bringing release and blessing to these hidden Jews.

In the natural, our task might be described as hunting for a needle in a haystack; or perhaps even taking a shot in the dark. The survival of the hidden Jews during inquisition generations was based on their true identities being carefully masked. Gaining the trust of their modern-day descendents will take a special sensitivity both spiritually and interpersonally.

Since we're convinced this unique assignment was birthed in the heart of God; we believe He will not only lead us, but will give us the awareness and wisdom needed when we meet those of this lineage.

It is a mission distinctly out of the box. Spiritually, this pioneering effort represents the opportunity to bring closure, honor and release to ones bearing a generational brand-mark of persecution. Our desire in connecting with these dear ones is simply to open the door of blessing to them.

In the western hemisphere, extensive efforts along these lines have resulted in communities of Jewish believers being identified, with reports of some reestablishing their roots in Israel. However, despite the history of the conversos/anusim settling on the west coast of India during the inquisition; little is known as to their current-day status.

With so much of this assignment broaching the unknown, we also anticipate it will carry something new and supernatural that the Lord is forging for both Kokeb's and my ministry.

After a late evening arrival and spending the night in Mumbai, we will be heading south to the university city of Pune. The leads we have there, we pray, will determine whether those we are seeking are in that area; or whether we need to travel to another locale.

In other words, we are depending on the leading of the Lord and your prayers to guide us, and lead us to these dear ones. Indeed, we walk by faith and not by sight.

What is unfolding is clearly taking me off the beaten path. Clearly it is a part of the change the Lord recently advised me about. As we proceed, there is a powerful anticipation for what lies ahead, as the Lord integrates the old with the new.

May the Lord impart to you a special excitement and blessing, as you become participators with us, in this pathway of discovery, with your prayers. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

In His service,

Morris Ruddick
Global Initiatives Foundation
http://www.strategic-initiatives.org/

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Saturday, March 5, 2011

Ted Pearce - Looking for God - Coming to Yeshua

Ahava Love Letter - "And The Shift Goes On"

Ahava Love Letter

“And The Shift Goes On”

“... if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope

of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation ...”( Colossians 1:23)

Dear family of friends,

Who was it that sang the song, “And the Beat Goes On?” As I began to write this, I couldn’t remember (senior moment) if it was Jane Fonda or Madonna (which I didn’t care much for either), so I looked it up with my three fingers on the keyboard.

In case you want to know, here is what Wikipedia says, "The Beat Goes On" is a song written by Sonny Bono and recorded by Sonny & Cher. It was issued as a single and appeared on their 1967 album “In Case You're In Love.” It entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart on January 14, 1967, peaking at #6. This song is incorrectly referred to as "And The Beat Goes On" due to the closing lyric adding the word "and" to the song's title. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beat_Goes_On) Yes, others like me got the title wrong. Sorry Sonny.

Why I thought of that song probably has nothing to do with what I am writing about, but then again maybe so.

There seems to be a place where some of us are at now, where there is "shifting," rather than the "beat going on." I know of many in the Body of Christ that are trying to sail on the high seas, but not sure where the wind is blowing them to. Or they feel more like they are "rowing up the small creek the wrong way." Are you one of them?

A man with a prophetic gifting, (I am very grateful for all of the Lord’s gifts), gave me this word on July 24, 2010. I was real excited when I first heard it. Now it is taking more faith than I thought it would to walk it out. I think some of you might bear witness to it also for yourself, so please read and be encouraged with where you might be at today, in your shifting times.

“I believe I hear the Lord is saying, “Did I say it, that I was calling you? Did I say that I was going to use you? Did I say that I was ordering your footsteps? Did I say that everywhere you walked you would possess the land? Yes I did. What I started in you I am willing and able to finish.”

I believe the Lord is saying He is going to complete what you thought He started in you a long time ago. Even those things you said that must not have been God, I must have missed it. I have a sense that you thought at one time that you knew just what God had called you for, and there was this purpose that you were working towards it, and everything was going that way. Sorta like the prophecy earlier about the water being thrown on the fire – that something just happened and things seemed to go off course.

I believe that God wants me to encourage you, that things have not gone off course, that He has not forgotten about you, that you have not gone astray. Everything is in God’s hands. His work is going to come to fruition just like He originally intended it to. That which He started is going to be finished and completed.” (Thank you again, Chas, for being a faithful one to deliver His “rhema” word! Love it!)

Read it again. Read it as if the Lord is saying that TO YOU right now. Let His Holy Spirit breathe life again into your moment of need, and be reassured of His guidance and provision.

And May His Holy Spirit continue to direct your steps in all your ways, as you too seek His face today. Lean on, no, cling onto Him even now. He is the Solid Rock on which we stand. Thank you Jesus!

Ahava to you my family of friends,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People, Inc.

P.S. Our 2^nd annual “Ahava Adventures” service trip to Israel is set, with flights, hotels, and ground transportation in place. On the date of Oct. 29, 2011, only ten will depart from Charlotte (or join us in Philadelphia) to spend six days/nights in Jerusalem and two days/nights on the Sea of Galilee in Tiberias. Our Israeli friends will meet us there, as we further connect with the believers in The Land. This isn’t your “basic tour” time. We go where not many can, or would go, for we want to be more adventurous, more supportive, and experience even more what Israel’s people and land is about in this day and age. We do see spiritually and historically important locations, but our primary focus is to bless the ones living the day to day life there. Curious enough to find out further? Read the attached flyer and itinerary.

One special note: When we are there in The Promised Land, we will spend time with three local organizations that serve the youth and so many more of Israel, each in their special ways. One is My Brother’s Keeper, founded by Dov Ben Zion Gellman and his wife Lyndee. They will be with us at the Beit Tikvah meeting on March 25, 2011. Friday night, 7 pm, Antioch International Church, in Fort Mill, SC. After meeting Dov, you will more than want to come see what he does first hand with the youth in Jerusalem!