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.
JULIE HUNTLEY Dean of the College of Business, Oral Roberts University
Morris Ruddick casts the vision of expecting even greater manifestations of power than in the book of Acts. We are given purpose for developing our spiritual maturity focused on overcoming insurmountable obstacles in today's times. Morris masterfully presents the steps for appropriating the mantle of fire that will change our personal lives and the world around us. The practical insight for those hungering to be used mightily by God is empowering. This book offers the tools for those wanting to be instrumental in changing the spiritual climate of this world, while advancing the Kingdom.
MARK MCCLENDON Director of Southeast Asia, CBN Inc.
Morris Ruddick's perspective on the unseen world has been honed through decades of a prayer-soaked walk with the Lord. As a youth I recall visits to the Ruddick home, listening as my father and Morris would think deep, pray long, and strategize for the Kingdom. Now, 40 years later, his writings challenge the status quo. Mantle of Fire is a book I had to savor, as every sentence brims with spiritual truth, exposing vibrant threads of the invisible realm calling for a more passionate search of pure God-empowered thinking to make us the anointed men and women that God designed us to be.
CURT LANDRY Founder, Curt Landry Ministries
Morris Ruddick has captured a clear, practical understanding of the current paradigm shift in how Christians think about God's empowerment for today's times. The Mantle of Fire is a must read for those called to the marketplace. It is a great read for those desiring operational maturity within the household of faith. True spiritual maturity of being doers of the Word and not hearers only is no longer an option. This book is a clear call to action!
When it came time to title this book, I knew it was no coincidence that this is my 12th published work. I count it very special. Not only is this book my 12th, but there have been other “12s” in my life. I live at our house location with the street numbers “12120”. My favorite NASCAR driver was “24” – of course, made up of the numbers 2 x 12. I turned “12 x 5” just over a year and a half ago.
Reaching the BIG 60 means I am still going in the Lord’s grace and provision! My 12th trip to Israel will occur in May of 2016. That is very special to me, as the primary work of our ministry is to bless our Jewish friends in their Promised Land, with actual friendship and financial support. Both in word and in deed. Knowing there are 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles selected by Yeshua (Jesus), 12 elders now seated around the throne, 12 months in each year…well, you get the point.
This book consists of my last 26 Now Think On This messages. Someone once mentioned that my writings would have been simply called "journaling" years ago, and in their mind probably should be for private use only. They wondered why I would continue to publish my Now Think On This messages into book form which I share with others.
At first I was taken aback with the comment, considering it as myself being questioned of the real intended purpose I had with my messages. But a few hours later on that same day, when I sat down and started to read Doug Addison's book on his 2016 prophetic words (which he said he received during September of 2015, the time of Rosh Hashanah, considered by many the Jewish New Year), an encouraging word stood out and uplifted my spirit. That word (among many!) was, "God spoke to me to pull all my words together into book form. This allows people to remember and pray about them." (Page 3, 2016 Prophetic Forecast, InLight Connection, 2015)
And so I say that is one main reason why I do too. In fact, the Lord also had spoken to me that same inspired word, back in November of 2010, after I returned from Israel and sought Him as to my question, “Not what?” in regards to the next step in our new ministry Love For His People, Inc., having just formed it in April of that year. When He responded by telling me to “Write love letters” I did so, which then became my blog messages. As do so many teachers of the Word, their messages eventually are the basis of their books which follow. A great example that I adhered to with several of my previous books.
Thus, not only to share what I believe are inspirations from the Lord Jesus with you, but also to leave them as a legacy for my children and grandchildren. They will know even more what Dad/Grandpa stood for, and will be encouraged, along with others like you, to do so also. Be blessed in your pursuit of the Lord Yeshua, the Coming Messiah, as you seek Him in all you do.
Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew),
Steve Martin
Love For His People, Inc.
Charlotte, NC
Feb, 7, 2016
About the Author
Steve Martin served with three Christian ministries from 1987-2010, all having a national and international outreach focus. During that time he made 14 ministry trips to Israel, China, India, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Kingdom. On his overseas journeys Steve enjoyed sharing written journal entries with family and friends back home, through Internet media. His light-hearted stories gave an up close and personal touch for those reading along.
His regular messages Now Think On This are posted on the ministries Love For His People and Now Think of This blogs. They are also on Facebook and Twitter, featuring words of spiritual enrichment, along with selected photos.
Since 1994, Steve and his good wife Laurie have lived in the Charlotte, NC area, after having homes in Illinois, Michigan and Florida. Now married for more than 38 years, they enjoy their four adult children and spouses (Josh and Chelsie, Ben, Hannah and Jonathan, Christen and Andrew), along with our seven additional grandchildren – Daniel, Logan, Dylan Joy, Jensen, Payton, Jack and Levi Zachary.
While continuing to serve organizations with his accounting skills, he enjoys writing, photography and growing the ministry of Love For His People, Inc.
Death Valley's 'Superbloom' a Reminder of God's Majesty
03-04-2016
CBN News
Something remarkable is happening in California: a "super bloom" in Death Valley.
The area is one of the driest places on earth. It typically only gets about two inches of rain each year.
But this year the area got more rain than usual, just enough to transform it into a beautiful landscape covered in flowers.
The amazing blooms are another reminder of God's majesty. Even if you're feeling dead and dry in your own life, remember there are seeds planted in you that are waiting for just the right conditions to break forth and show God's beauty.
Watch a sneak preview of the story for the upcoming movie, GOD'S NOT DEAD 2, which will be releasing April 1, 2016. For more information visit: http://godsnotdeadthemovie.com
Watch the trailer for the new movie, God's Not Dead 2, which will be in theaters April 1, 2016!
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You may never have heard of Troy Duhon, but you probably have heard of the movie God's Not Dead, which he bankrolled. Friday, he inspired me when he spoke at our Seminole County Prayer Breakfast locally, in which he challenged us to step out of the boat.
Troy is a successful businessman. His 23 car dealerships gross more than $1 billion a year. That's why he was able to write a check for a movie about an obscure book on apologetics called God's Not Dead by Dr. Rice Broocks. He had never made a movie, so it was risky. But he stepped outside the boat, and the rest is history. An estimated 50 million people worldwide have seen the movie, and it's become a movement with the sequel God's Not Dead 2 releasing April 1.
At the prayer breakfast, Troy told a moving story about his dad, formerly an alcoholic, who got saved when Troy was a teen and became a powerful Pentecostal preacher. In his later years, Troy and his dad became very close. His dad told him one day: "Son, if you keep your eyes on Jesus, you can walk on the water. If you turn around and look at His disciples, you'll sink."
Consider what stepping out of the boat meant for making a movie. First, it involved investing $1 million. Add to that the fact that Christian movies are often low quality and lose money. So it's very risky. However, this movie exceeded all expectations.
If you saw it, you know how good it was. It's been enormously successful. It grossed well over $100 million, making it perhaps the most successful independent movie of all time based on return on investment. You can watch the trailer here.
The success of the movie is so great that it has actually turned into a movement. This is a big story and one we covered in next month's issue of Charisma magazine. But the movie would never have been made if a businessman with a heart for evangelism had not said yes to God and stepped out of the boat.
Because I had gotten to know Troy, he invited me to the set to watch the second movie being shot in Arkansas. You can read what I wrote about it last July. I got to meet the star, Melissa Joan Hart, and watch the classroom scene. Since then, I've been able to see the entire movie, which opens in a few days. To me, God's Not Dead 2 is as good or even better than the first. You can watch the powerful trailer here, and I urge you to go see it.
Troy's story is certainly amazing, if only for his success as a businessman and his participation in the movie. But there's another side to him. He's also a philanthropist.
Of his accomplishments and successes, Giving Hope Foundation holds the key to his heart. Troy's dad always told him that people will not care how many cars he sells, but God cares how many of His people he feeds. With that resonating in his head and heart, The Food Pantry of New Orleans was birthed. The Food Pantry is the flagship for the Giving Hope Foundation. Reading what Troy has done will inspire you to step out of the boat.
Giving Hope Foundation focuses on eight key areas of outreach/ministry. Those areas include: The Food Pantry of New Orleans, Hope for a Home, Hope House Orphanages, Giving Hope Retreat Center, Hope for Success, Hope Against Trafficking, Angola Re-Entry Program and Giving Hope Partnerships.
In under two years, The Food Pantry has supplied over 200,000 hot meals to senior citizens and impoverished families around the city of New Orleans. Nearly 850 free boxes of groceries are also given out monthly.
Through the adoption of their daughter, Annahstasia, Troy and Tracy Duhon saw the need for better living conditions in the overseas orphanages. Because they were unable to take these precious orphans home themselves, they decided to make a difference in the villages and communities these young children call home.
With the vision to build an orphanage on every inhabited continent, Hope House India was dedicated in 2014, Hope Honduras was dedicated in 2015, and Hope House Africa will be dedicated in 2016. Future Hope Houses are planned for Russia, Australia, South America and China. Hope for a Home reaches a similar need here in the United States. Every child needs a forever family, so Hope for a Home provides financial and emotional resources a family may need as they go through the adoption process.
"In partnership with the New Orleans Mission, Giving Hope Retreat Center provides a place of refuge, recovery and re-engagement for the homeless in our city," Troy says. "Giving Hope Retreat Center provides a community to learn and grow. We are assisting these formerly homeless in learning a trade (Culinary, Auto Mechanic, Landscape, etc.). In doing so, they also become active members of society. Giving Hope Retreat Center will also house a Women's Pavilion to reach battered and/or trafficked women. Hope Against Trafficking, a strategic campaign against human trafficking, is another targeted area for Giving Hope. Our goal is to bring awareness and develop strategic initiatives to meet the needs of individuals that have been a victim of trafficking. Hope for Success will help provide stylish business attire for these and other men and women to make an impression as they re-enter the workforce. Giving Hope also partners with the Angola Re-Entry Program, an already existing program set up for former inmates of Angola prison. The connection of the automotive industry has allowed Giving Hope to provide employment to the graduates of this program."
Because of the foundation of outreach that Troy and Tracy have built, Giving Hope Partnerships has resourced and inspired other businesses and businesspeople to reproduce this same spirit of outreach in their communities. From California to Nashville to Kansas City to Richmond, businesses are making a positive impact on the communities and Giving Hope to those in need.
I had the privilege of interviewing Troy for several podcasts of "The Strang Report." You can download them next week from the Charisma Podcast Network. I believe hearing his story will inspire you, as it inspired me, to step out of the boat.
Steve Strangis the founder of Charisma and CEO of Charisma Media. Follow him onTwitter or Facebook.
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“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and
manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For
we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among
those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other
an aroma from life to life.” (2
Corinthians 2:14-16, NASU)
Have
you ever stopped and realized that when you see someone with something you
don't have, one first instinct is to say, "I want it."
It could be anything, such
as a new house (or one newer than what you have now), a better car, a more likable
job, or just a day with no problems to contend with. I noticed myself “wanting
it” when I was looking out an office lobby window at lunch time and saw
several people on the sidewalk carrying orange plastic bags. They looked like
they had been at a convention uptown. All carried the orange bag. My first thought
was, "I want one."
Wow, another bag. As
if I really needed one.
Is it just our human
nature to want something that another has and we don't? I think so. Look at
Jacob and Esau, for instance. It was during the time of the patriarchs when Jacob wanted
Esau's birthright and he schemed, along with his mother, to get it. Or go back
further in history’s timeline, to that Scripture telling of Cain and Abel. Cain
wanted the Lord's approval for his crop sacrifice, which was not what the Lord
was requiring. A blood sacrifice was needed to be acceptable, as Abel had provided
with his lamb. (This was a foreshadow of the Messiah Jesus’, Yeshua HaMashiach’s,
sacrificial blood poured out on the cross. The sacrifice God required could not
be satisfied with something obtained from our own human efforts and
toil, as was Cain's presentation. It had to be a blood sacrifice provided by
the Lord Himself.)
Jacob and Cain each
wanted what his brother had. They were jealous that the other possessed it, and
thus wanted it for themselves.
Looking at it from the other side, as I work with co-workers who do not follow after the Lord, I find myself at times checking
what I am presenting to them, as a believer in the Lord Jesus. Is my life's
testimony something they would want for themselves? Do they see or
sense His Holy Spirit in my life, and desire Him, even if they may
not realize Who He is?
Many days I think not.
In my mind, sometimes my testimony is not what I would like it to be “on the
job”. Those days when I struggle with life’s issues, my thought is that I am
not portraying the “victorious” life that I believe we are to be sharing with
others. (And yet even of those times I choose not to walk under the enemy’s condemnation
because of it.) Those surrounding me may even realize that life as a believer on
this earth isn’t a bed of roses, which some were led to believe it would be at that
initial salvation experience. But we press on in the midst of our struggles,
with His grace working within us always.
When I think my
testimony isn’t the greatest, the Lord still encourages me. He reminds me of
those people who have let me know, after I left a particularly place of employment,
how my presence there had made a difference. They were watching me in my day to
day activities, knowing what I stood for, and how I handled most situations. A
seed had been planted in their heart and spirit. They knew there was something
more than just the life they had. My prayer now for them is that another believer
will water that seed, and it will blossom in due time.
As the dark gets
darker, the light we have, the Holy Spirit shining within us, will be bright
and illuminate more than we would imagine. Even as a single match lights up a pitch
black room, so we will be that to others in these times we live in.
My prayer is that those
ones around us will be saying to themselves at some point, “I want it. Whatever
they got, I want it in my life.” And then may the Lord Jesus come and reveal
Himself to them, having used us as part of His plan fulfilled. “For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those
who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from
death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life.”
Now think on this,
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People, Inc.
P.S.I would be
most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and
friends. They might need it. You can easily use the social media icons below.
Thanks! Steve
We are blessed when the ministry receives gifts to support
the families that we do, primarily in Israel, India, Pakistan and the hurting
ones here in the USA. You also can share out of the abundance you have been
given.
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.
If these messages minister to you, please consider
sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us
bless families we know in Israel, whom we consistently help through our
humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt
for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.
Now Think On This - In the New Year of our Lord 03.04.16 -
#248 –“I Want It” – Friday at 6:00
pm
All previous editions of Now Think On This can
be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This
Again, I would be most grateful if you'd share this
encouraging word with your family and friends. You can easily use the social
media icons below. Thanks! Steve
