Monday, July 13, 2015

Remember When - Now Think On This by Steve Martin


Remember When
- Now Think On This
by Steve Martin


“'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NASU)


Remember when:

…you knew the neighbor across the street, whom your kids played with until it was dark out, and you could even borrow an egg if you needed too? Or if you were gone on a vacation for a week, and you came back to find your grass had been cut without asking anyone? Yes, the neighbor on the side of the house had kindly done it.

…you enjoyed having neighborhood gatherings, with each one bringing part of the meal for the grill, and you really did care about each other’s concerns that you shared amongst these friends?

“Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8-9 NASU


Remember when:

…you and a few others received an award in school, because you really did work extra hard, while most others showed little effort? Not everyone got a special one, which made it an extra achievement.

…the bonus you received on your job was because your contribution made a difference, and the management realized it. And so when others just did what was expected of them, you gave the extra effort, and thus achieved the greater reward given to a few.

 “The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the other five and said, ‘Sir, you gave me five talents; here, I have made five more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Excellent! You are a good and trustworthy servant. You have been faithful with a small amount, so I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and join in your master’s happiness!” Matt 25:20-21 CJB


Remember when:

…Dad worked over 35 years at the same place, and they blessed him with a real special Grandfather’s clock, threw a party, and all his co-workers celebrated with him? He worked hard and was rightly honored.

…you also could almost certainly count on staying with your company for a long period of time, knowing they cared about you and not just the bottom line? And you got a fair wage for the work you were expected to do, and you did.

"Then I will draw near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me," says the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 3:5 NASU)


Remember when…

…you had a Grandpa and Grandma who had been married for over 40 years, demonstrating the love and commitment that they had declared to one another back when they were in their 20’s? Marriage was well respected. And along with that, following this union of one man and one woman, you were grateful that your Dad and Mom then helped create you after their wedding.

…you waited for the choice the Lord had made for you, while all the while keeping pure in your actions towards one another until she walked down the aisle? The honeymoon night was a very special time of coming together.

“Marriage should be honored by everyone. And every marriage should be kept pure between husband and wife. God will judge guilty those who commit sexual sins and adultery.” (Hebrews 13:4)


In all these things and more, our God certainly “remembers when”, and He is not slow in His rewards, nor is He forgetful about His promises to those who obey His laws, and also to those who don’t. Just because “days have gone by”, or “these times are changing” doesn’t mean that we can change what we want, when we want to change them. His eternal ways will certainly be made known by all – one way or another.

He knows what is written in each of our life’s book. That day will come for each of us, as He then shows it to us.

“Then I saw a large white throne. I saw the one who was sitting on the throne. Earth and sky ran away from him and disappeared. And I saw those who had died, great and small, standing before the throne. Some books were opened. And another book was opened—the book of life. The people were judged by what they had done, which is written in the books. (Revelations 20:11-12)

I hope you are still remembering to do what is right, and just, and certain in the eyes of the Lord. A crown of glory and eternal life in heaven awaits those who do.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People. Inc.

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.



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Now Think On This #174 “Remember When” by Steve Martin 
Date: In the year of our Lord 2015 (07.13.15) Monday at 6:00 pm in Charlotte, NC


All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This

Israel: Still Open for Business

Israel: Still Open for Business

TOM BRENNAN  charisma news
Despite all of the BDS movements against it, Israel continues to thrive as a nation.
Despite all of the BDS movements against it, Israel continues to thrive as a nation. (Flickr )
Standing With Israel
The last two years have seen a dramatic increase in worldwide stress and pressure on Israel. Last year, riots disrupted business, transportation and commuting.
Shops that employ Israeli citizens of all faiths saw a drop-off in sales. Some tours were cancelled. Still, a bad day in Jerusalem is better than a good week in Chicago or Detroit as far as crime and violence go.
The BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movements that uninformed, misinformed and outright malevolent groups attempt to stage are failing, but still there are some effects. Israeli companies are businesses that employ many non-Jewish citizens and their incomes are significantly higher and standard of living better than in neighboring countries of the Palestinian Authority's areas.
Has your church group cancelled a scheduled tour for fear's sake? Did you miss a chance to ride a boat on the Sea of Galilee?
Remember, the Messiah calmed the storms there and walked on water. Each time he said "do not be afraid." Our days are numbered and each day counts. No one knows from the hour they wake until the hour they sleep what will happen. Only the Creator knows. Faith tells us that only He is in charge. No one else, neither friend nor enemy.
If your tour is coming up this year, obey the command of "don't be afraid." There is only one Israel. In the meantime do you have gifts to buy for weddings, birthdays, celebrations? There are many online merchants that operate from Israel. They offer a vast catalog of everything from crafts made in Bethlehem and Nazareth to delicious foods that are pure delights.
Do you know what Kosher means? The Hebrew meaning is "special," set aside. The Torah, the first five books of the Bible, were transcribed by Moses (Moshe' in Hebrew) and contain the instructions and examples that the Creator wanted His chosen people to follow in the Covenant made with Moses. Certain foods were not to be eaten, certain things were not being mixed, and no form of worship the idolaters used were to be used by the Israelites.
His people, His worship and His Word were "Kushra": special, set aside. Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew) said "be holy as I am holy." The Hebrew meaning is "be set apart as I am set apart." Be in the world but not a part of it and its ways. "You are mine and I am your God," he says.
Kosher foods are best made in Israel. Fresh ingredients are used (no GMO!) Olive oil, baked goods, these are exported daily. Jaffa (Yafo) oranges are amazing in their size and juiciness. Rabbis certify that foods were prepared and made according to rules and a seal is applied.
Do you know that there are hundreds of certifying agencies in the United States each with their own seal? We all recognize Hebrew National meats; now we see what Kosher really means. Some of us say Kosher means "delicious."
Seeing how ancient traditions are carried into modern day Israel is a real learning experience. Israel combined faith, heritage and fast-paced living into a workable lifestyle that all can learn from. Israel is open for business and ready to welcome you.
Tom Brennan has worked in quite a few professions. Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, he's worked as a museum curator, archivist and graphics curator, library administrator, small business owner, animal care worker, sheriff's deputy, rancher and farmer and author and researcher and NewsBlogger. He plans to volunteer for Sar-El next year and see Israel from the ground up. When he's not digging into news, he works with Arabian horses and other breeds in Boise, Idaho.
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Hebrew Music Monday ✡ "Fear of the Lord"

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and discipline.

PROVERBS (1:7)

יִרְאַת יְ-הוָה רֵאשִׁית דָּעַת חָכְמָה וּמוּסָר אֱוִילִים בָּזוּ

משלי א:ז

yir-at a-do-nai ray-sheet da-at khokh-ma u-mu-sar e-vee-leem ba-zu

Today's Israel Inspiration

The Book of Proverbs is the most quoted of all Scripture to this day. It was written by King Solomon, the wisest king of Israel. In I Kings 3, the Bible relates how this son of King David achieved such greatness. God appeared to Solomon in a dream and offered him whatever his heart desired. Young King Solomon asked only for the wisdom to guide God’s people in righteousness. So pleased was the Lord with Solomon’s request that He also granted him great wealth and success. This verse sets the tone for the entire book of Proverbs. Once King Solomon has set out his purpose in writing, to impart wisdom, he begins by identifying fear of the Lord as the root of that wisdom. Without awe of God,knowledge is empty and can be twisted for any number of negative purposes. Learn more with dynamic Orthodox Rabbi Aryeh Leifert, who believes that one of the biggest patches of common ground between Christians and Jews is the Wisdom of Solomon.

Preview: "Proverbially Speaking"

Rabbi Aryeh Leifert is an adventurous Israeli tour guide who invites you to join him on a touring journey of one of his favorite books of the Bible: Proverbs.

Bringing Proverbs to Life

Go behind the scenes with a teacher who is known for making the rocks of the Holy Land come to life through his live and virtual tours. Now he's giving a modern take on the ancient book of Proverbs.

Hebrew Name Ring

Stay connected to your biblical roots by wearing your Hebrew name proudly! The ring is made from real silver with your personalized name. Don’t know your Hebrew name? No problem! Many English names derive from Hebrew names in the Bible, and the rest have etymological or spiritual cousins in Biblical sources. Just type in your English name and we’ll find the Hebrew name in the Bible that’s most closely connected to yours.

Today's Israel Photo

Summer gets a big welcome with the Umbrella Street Project in Jerusalem! A thousand umbrellas are suspended by thin wire providing not only a beautiful sight but plenty of welcome shade.

Thank You

Please help us continue to spread the beauty and significance of the Land of Israel!

Rabbi Tuly Weisz at CUFI in DC!

I am excited to be at the Christians United for Israel conference today in Washington D.C. and if you're also here, I'd love to meet you in person. Please be in touch and let's meet up!

I love Jerusalem, the city of God. If there's a place that i would dearly love to visit, that is Jerusalem. I am from Cebu, Philippines - Ali Montecillo - Phillipines

I am from Jaipur city, India.  Thanks for your email. Praise be His Holy name, Amen. Keep in touch. - Prem Singh Negi from India

Thank you for these emails. They bring back lovely memories of when we were in Israel for the Feast of Tabernacles in 2006. May Adonai  bless you and keep you, may Adonai make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.May Adonai lift up his countenance upon you and give you his peace. Wendy and Richard Upton, New Zealand
Shalom,
Rabbi Tuly Weisz
RabbiTuly@Israel365.com

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Unafraid of ISIS, Iraqi Christian Girl's Faith Beyond Viral

Unafraid of ISIS, Iraqi Christian Girl's Faith Beyond Viral


ERBIL, Iraq--  It's now been one year since the Islamic State overran much of northern Iraq. ISIS has brutalized, raped, and murdered thousands.
CBN News shared many of the horror stories, but we also learned of one little Christian overcomer who inspired us. The unshakeable faith of young Maryam Behnam has encouraged Christians in Iraq and around the world.
For Iraq, the summer of 2014 was like no other as a militant Muslim group know as the Islamic State overran the city of Mosul and nearby villages. Thousands were killed, or kidnapped and more than a million people fled into Iraqi Kurdistan.
Over the last year, CBN News brought you many reports from Iraq about Christians who have been forced from their homes because of ISIS. But young Maryam's story went viral, so we thought we'd introduce you to her once again.
Fearless Faith of a Child
Late last year, the world was amazed to hear Maryam tell a Sat 7 reporter she forgives ISIS.
Reporter Essam Nagy asked Maryam, " What are your feelings towards those who drove you out of your home and caused you hardships?
Maryam responded, "I won't do anything to them, I will only ask God to forgive them."
Watch that viral interview below:
Hundreds of thousands of people viewed her comments on the Internet.
CBN's Gary Lane recently caught up with the 11-year-old and her younger sister Zomorod as they returned from school. Their family recently moved into a small, two bedroom trailer in a community of displaced Christians in Erbil.
So, why is Maryam unafraid of ISIS, and why does she forgive the jihadists who drove her from her home in Qaraqoush?
"In the Bible Jesus said to us, 'Don't be afraid, I am with you.' And also, He said forgive others no matter who they are hating you. You have to forgive them," she said. "Jesus is my father, and He is my creator. I have no one else better than him. When ISIS drove us out of our home, His hand was on us and He saved us."
Future Dreams
When Maryam grows up she wants to join Doctors Without Borders.
"There are people everywhere, they need treatment but they cannot get it because they don't have enough money to go to the doctor and the doctors aren't available usually," she said passionately. "So, this is why. As Jesus said, 'You've been given freely, you should give freely.' This is why we should love them and provide treatment."
Maryam said she cherishes the Bible because it is God's love story to humanity.
"The only story in the Bible is the story of the resurrection of Christ Jesus the Lord because through that story, we can have hope. "
The young displaced Christian said when she prays, it isn't for a bigger home or more possessions.
"When I pray, I pray that God might help us to go back home. And also that the peace of God might come all over Iraq and also, may God forgive ISIS."
Source of Wisdom
So, what is the source of Maryam's unshakeable faith and the words of wisdom beyond her years? 
"The words I am speaking to you are not coming from a random place. They come from the Holy Spirit," she insisted. "The Holy Spirit gave me these words to tell you."
Maryam's father Walid is proud his daughter became an Internet sensation.
He thanks God for Maryam, because He "gave me a nice daughter to disseminate the Word of Jesus to all the world through the media, not to famous her, but to give the regard of God to all the people and to the peace."
Maryam and her sister Zomorod love singing hymns. Their mother Alice has taught them the words to many Christian songs.
"It seems like the Holy Spirit put in their hearts to love those songs and dedicate this part of their personality to love God and praise God," she told CBN News. "So they admire this way of worshiping."
Listen to the girls sing below.
For the Glory of God
Maryam advised Christian children in the United States and elsewhere to love God and share their faith with friends.
"They don't need to be frightened and also, things that happen in their lives, they should learn from us and our lives," she said.
"This should not be to get something or to get glory for ourselves," she continued. "It is for the sake of God because God lives and we want to do everything for the glory of God and also for exalting God in our lives."

First western female fighter against ISIS returns to Israel

First western female fighter against ISIS returns to Israel

Monday, July 13, 2015 |  Israel Today Staff
Gill Rosenberg, a Canadian - Israeli, returned to Israel after spending the last 8 months on the front lines against ISIS in Syria and Iraq with Kurdish fighters.
In November 2014 it was reported that Rosenberg had joined the Kurdish forces fighting ISIS in Syria. She flew via Jordan to Erbil in Kurdish controlled northern Iraq where she assumed her combat role.
A few weeks later media reports stated that she had been abducted by ISIS being the first western female combatant having been abducted. Within a matter of days the reports of her abduction were put to rest with reports of a post on her FaceBook page that she was alive and well.
After seeing action in Syria Rosenberg moved to Iraq where she continued in her combat role util she left Iraq for Paris about 10 days ago.
She arrived in Israel on Sunday where she was briefly detained by Israel's General Security Services (Shin Bet) and interrogated before being released.
"It's good to be home. I'm here for now, and don’t plan on going back there anytime soon," she said.
Rosenberg spoke of her difficulty witnessing the humanitarian crisis in the areas that she found herself, saying, "It's a country at war. There are millions of refugees scattered across the country, most of them women and children."
Rosenberg reportedly said that that she left the area for political reasons, saying that peoples attitudes towards the US and Israel and increasing Iranian advances in the area warranted her departure.
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Shemitah and the Messiah: Could This Be the Year Before His Arrival?


Shemitah and the Messiah: Could This Be the Year Before His Arrival?


“For six years you shall sow your field, and for six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather in its produce. But in the seventh year, the land shall have a complete rest, a Sabbath to the Lord.” (Leviticus 25:3)
In a recent Breaking Israel News article, we presented some statements made by Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, a highly respected rabbi in the Orthodox world, in which he instructed Jews to come to Israel soon “or there won’t be enough room on the airplanes.”
Many readers were interested in his statements and wondered about the source for the Rabbi’s insistence upon connecting the coming of the Messiah with the year after the Shemitah, the Sabbatical year. The issue takes on particular urgency since the current year is a Sabbatical year, ending September 13.
Sources close to Rabbi Kanievsky explain that he is not making a prophetic statement predicting a certain time period. The Rabbi is simply relating to well-known classical sources on the subject that discuss the Messiah and place it in a specific time-frame.
According to the sources, the year after the Shemitah has a special significance relating to the Messiah.  There is a possibility, perhaps even a probability, the Messiah will come the year after the Shemitah, though if he does not, it in no way negates or contradicts the Rabbi’s statements. This requires a bit of explanation.
This year, 5775 in the Jewish calendar, is a Shemitah year. The Shemitah comes every seven years, making it a form of Sabbath that occurs on a yearly, rather than a weekly, cycle. The Sabbath is generally characterized by a cessation that signifies accepting God’s greater authority in the world. Practically during the weekly Sabbath, this means a cessation of labor, showing that despite spending six days working for the material, we stop on the seventh day to show that God is the true master. The same is true for the Shemitah year. We work the land for six years, and on the seventh, we leave the land fallow and the fields are left open for anyone to come and take of the fruit. There are several other cases of cycles of seven that are related to this, for example the seven year cycle of a Hebrew slave before he is set free, as described in Exodus 21:2. Another aspect of the Shemitah year also has implications for loans, for the same reason.
Shemitah was commanded to Israel at Mount Sinai. After 40 years in the desert, the Jews entered the Land of Israel, but the land must be owned in order for it to be forfeited as the verse specifies. So 14 years later, after they had completed conquering the land, they began counting the seven year cycle. The first Shemitah year was the 21st year after the Jewish nation had entered the land.
The Shemitah is part of a larger framework of seven Shemitah cycles, in which we count 49 years, and then the 50th year is the Jubilee year, as described in Leviticus, chapter 25. The Jubilee year is observed only when all of the Nation of Israel is in the Land of Israel. Therefore, when the Jews returned from Babylonian Exile, since many chose to remain in the Diaspora, the Jubilee was not observed. For the same reason, it is not observed today in modern Israel.
It is interesting to note that despite the initiation of the Shemitah year being determined by the actions of the Jews, it worked out that the first Shemitah year was a multiple of seven since the creation of the world, according to the Jewish calendar. The year after the destruction of the Second Temple, 3829, was also known to be a Shemitah year, 547 seven year cycles since the creation of the world. The current Hebrew year is 5775; precisely 825 Shemitah cycles.
The Babylonian Talmud in the Tractate of Sanhedrin, 97a, brings the verse from Amos 9:11:
“On that day, will I raise up the fallen booth (Sukkah) of David.”
This verse comes in the context of a prophecy about God bringing the nation of Israel back from exile among the nations. Amidst descriptions of the days preceding the Messiah, the Talmud says:
“As it is written, in that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen. Our Rabbis taught: in the seven year cycle at the end of which the son of David will come-in the first year, this verse will be fulfilled.”
The Talmud is saying explicitly that the Messiah will come in the first year after the Shemitah.  It should be noted that the Talmud describes the days before the Messiah in depth, and they are especially difficult times.
Rabbi Kanievsky was, of course, familiar with this source and was aware we are now in a sabbatical year. His instructions to come to Israel took into account that there was a much greater chance that the Messiah will be coming next year. It is interesting to note that Rabbi Kanievsky was very diligent about observing the Shemitah and ruled by more stringent rulings concerning this Biblical commandment.

image: http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/rabbi-chaim-kanievsky.jpg
Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky (C) has issued a call for Jews to move to Israel in preparation for the imminent arrival of the Messiah. (Photo: Dudi Friedman/ Wiki Commons)
Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky (C) has issued a call for Jews to move to Israel. (Photo: Dudi Friedman/ Wiki Commons)

In addition to the sources brought in the previous article, a recording was made in the aftershock of the horrifying terror attack in November in a synagogue in Har Nof, Jerusalem. Rabbi Kanievsky was asked how to comfort the people so they would be less afraid. He said, “atonement” (kappara) many times. When pressed for an explanation, he said, “It is an atonement before the Messiah can come.”
Rebbetzin Chana Bracha Seigelbaum, founder and director of Midreshet B’erot Bat Ayin, makes a remarkable observation that emphasizes the role of the Shemitah in the process of national redemption:
“It is not surprising that every year following the Shemitah year has been significant in our possession of the Land of Israel…Most of the change in the borders of the state of Israel took place the year following Shemitah year. For example, it was Shemitah year in 1966, and the following year, during the Six Day War, we recaptured Yerushalayim and Gush Etzion. The next  Shemitah year was in 1973. This year was followed by the devastating Yom Kippur war. Following the Shemitah year in 1980, we relinquished Sinai to Egypt. After two cycles of Shemitah, in 1995 the Oslo agreement brought bouts of terrorism in its wake.”
It is clear that Rabbi Kanievsky was relating to Babylonian Talmud, which says specifically that the Messiah will come in the year following the Shemitah. Whether it will come after the Shemitah year we are presently about to complete has yet to be seen. What is undeniable is that there is a clear significance to the time period immediately following a Shemitah year in terms of national redemption.
Rabbi Kanievsky called upon people to do Tshuva, repentance, that leads to a return to faith and good actions in order to actualize the unique potential for redemption that is within us right now. If our actions are correct and coincide with God’s will, then the Messiah will come.

Read more at http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/45001/shmitah-messiah-this-year-arrival-jewish-world/#tuGJuzS1OmQxA58p.99


Sunday, July 12, 2015

Another grandchild coming! News from our daughter Hannah...


Our daughter Hannah & Jonathan Avalos announcing our next grandchild is on the way.

Be fruitful and multiply!

With our love,

Steve & Laurie Martin