Now Think On This messages - Three Choices. Or ALL! - Steve Martin

Dec. 19, 2018 Charlotte, North Carolina USA Greetings family and friends. During all the hustle and bustle that you have going on, I want to say "Thank you" to those who take a few minutes to read these messages. We each have gifts from the Holy Spirit He wants us to share. I am glad you take a few minutes to allow me to give to you what I have been given. This time of year can be very good, beautiful, and excited for many, while at the same time others look on it with disdain, as they again experience pain and hurt. I understand both. I really love and enjoy the gift of life given to us by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, which we can certainly live, but at the same time, I know that many aren't there, as much as they would want to be along with others. Our Lord knows where each is at, and He doesn't just pass over those who haven't gotten it yet. Out of His love for those, He touched me in a very real, deep way a few days ago, and had me write this: The Grief, Pain, and Sorrow of Holidays. As the subject line says, I have three messages for you to unwrap. The second one is It's A Faith Walk. It doesn't have to be as Doris Day sang, "Que sera, sera, whatever will, be will be" in your walk with our Lord. He wants to give you clear and step-by-step direction in your life. And finally, the one encouragement message I am most excited about is entitled, "Gathering Together", which not only talks about what is on the Lord's heart today for His people, but what He has given me as an event in the works for April 2020. We are living in a time where He is indeed gathering His people together, both in Israel and in His Body locally. Check it out right here:Gathering Together As the year comes to an end shortly, be sure to give thanks for all that He has done in your life. Forgive often, pray for each other (Lord knows we need it!), and love those He continually brings into your path. They need His love through you, and in return, you will, even more, enjoy His love working through you. Share a little bit more than you did before. Please don't forget this ministry in your year-end giving. Providing for those making aliyah (immigrating to Israel) is becoming a big thing on God's heart, and ours too. May you join Him in this end-time movement. We are helping those in Israel responding to His call. Click here for easy, online donations or address for checks: Love For His People contribution. Todah rabah (thank you very much.) And hey! Buy my most recent book (my 19th in case you are counting) Adventures in Courage. Please see book details at end of this communication. May you bless the work of this ministry, Love For His People, Inc., by purchasing a copy (or two!) I would most appreciate that. One hardback is only $8.95. If anything, buy it just for the 40 photos! I always include these - purposely for the men who like to see rather than read! Merry Christmas to all! Jesus came the first time as the Suffering Servant. He is coming again as the Lion of Judah. Be watching and waiting, while at the same time giving all you have while we have time. Our light must shine even brighter in the darkness that tries to overtake us. Your reward in heaven is great, as you faithfully keep up the good work. Be blessed with ahava (love) and shalom (peace), Steve Martin Founder/President P.S. We support Messianic Jews and congregations in Jerusalem and vicinity. Please consider a contribution today for this ongoing, monthly support. With Christmas next week and the New Year to follow, I ask that you might include a financial gift to LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLEon your ministry giving list! (USA tax receipts are mailed out within the week of receiving each gift in our home office.) Click here for easy, online donations or address for checks: Love For His People contribution. Todah rabah (thank you very much.) Now Think On This The Grief, Pain, and Sorrow of the Holidays by Steve Martin “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation." (Psalm 91:14-16, NKJV) Needing more photos frames for an idea I had made another trip to Walmart necessary (no advertising dollars for this plug given this way). By late afternoon I had completed my gift wrapping of 19 presents, fed the dog, ate the leftover chicken wings from a family Christmas party the night before, and told my good wife I needed to shut my eyes for a few minutes after she got home from her shopping. Sitting in my regular prayer chair, I closed my eyes, anticipating a power nap. It didn’t happen. This grief, pain and deep sorrow then came over me. I quickly realized it wasn’t any of my emotions coming to the surface, buried far below from days gone by. I had no reason to feel that, given the joy, peace, and love from God the Father in my life recently. Someone else was experiencing this. Continue to read the full message: The Grief, Pain, and Sorrow of the Holidays  It's A Faith Walk Steve Martin It really is a faith walk. Not because we have faith in ourselves, our natural talents, or the Doris Day song in that movie, “Whatever will be will be.” Que sera, sera. Really? That is walking in faith? Anybody can say that. Most do. And where does that get them? (Thanks to Dr. Phil.) Even putting our trust in that weekly paycheck, the stock market (up and down, up and down), or the retirement fund we spent years building and then lost in the last financial crash that occurred (and will occur again I believe) won’t work in the end. So where is your faith? If tested, would it hold strong? Or is it like the house built on sand, only to crumble when the water comes in like a flood? I think you best find out now. Be sure to read the rest: It's A Faith Walk Adventures in Courage - Strength for the Journey by Steve Martin "Everyone likes an adventure. Travel the world. See the sites. Live the dream. Steve Martin's "Now Think On This" messages provide you with inspiration to walk the journey that God intends for you to have. Enjoy the short chapters as you receive encouragement for your life-long adventures." The Lord impressed upon me that He is a God of adventures, and delights in sharing them with us. He does not consider the Christian walk to be one of boredom. It takes courage to step out in faith, to do that which is not obvious in the natural but would be very obvious if we saw with spiritual eyes. Our faith must be expressed by doing without knowing the results while trusting that He does, and will provide for us to complete our assignments. Our God calls us to walk in the adventures He has. We must keep looking to and relying on Him to direct, provide, and encourage on the way. It does take courage to walk in adventures. He gives us the strength to complete the long journey we travel. Steve Martin Founder Love For His People, Inc. You can get it in paperback or Kindle. Amazon Paperback $8.95 Kindle $2.99 Love For His People, Inc. P.O. Box 414 Pineville, NC 28134 USA loveforhispeople@gmail.com Love For His People  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌ Visit our website Donate

Love For His People, Inc | P.O. Box 414, Pineville, NC 28134

Does the Christian Star of Bethlehem Have Its Roots in Judaism? By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

Illustrative: A bright star sits in the night sky. (Credit: MarcelClemens/Shutterstock.com)

Does the Christian Star of Bethlehem Have Its Roots in Judaism?

By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz December 19, 2018  BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

(Note: REPOSTED by  Love For His People reposted, as an affiliate of BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS)

“He counteth the number of the stars; He giveth them all their names.” Psalms 147:4 (The Israel Bible™)

As Christmas approaches, stars, one of the symbols of the Christian holiday, appear. What few people realize is that the star, symbolizing an astronomical appearance described in the New Testament, may have its sources in Jewish eschatological literature – i.e. that describing the Messiah’s arrival.

The Star of Bethlehem is mentioned in the New Testament Book of Matthew where it is described as the appearance of a large and remarkable star. Inspired by the star, “wise men from the East” come to Israel where they ask King Herod, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” They are directed by King Herod to Bethlehem based on a prophecy in Micah.

And you, O Beit Lechem of Efrat, Least among the clans of Yehuda, From you one shall come forth To rule Yisrael for Me— One whose origin is from of old, From ancient times. (Micah 5:1)

It is relevant to note the connection between Bethlehem and the Jewish concept of Messiah from the House of David. Bethlehem is the birthplace of King David and the Prophet Samuel anointed David as king of Israel in Bethlehem. The Hebrew word ‘Moshiach’ (Messiah) literally means ‘the anointed one.’

The Star of Bethlehem has become a central feature of the story of the birth of Jesus and features prominently in the upcoming holiday of Christmas. Some Christian theologians claimed that the star fulfilled a prophecy, known as the Star Prophecy based on a verse in Numbers.

I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not nigh; there shall step forth a star out of Yaakov, and a scepter shall rise out of Yisrael, and shall smite through the corners of Moab, and break down all the sons of Seth. (Numbers 24:17)

This Torah verse also plays a central role in the Jewish concept of the Messiah. This verse was interpreted by Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, known as Maimonides and by the acronym Rambam who was the foremost Torah authority of the 12th century. In his book, Mishneh Torah, the Rambam brings this verse about a star appearing as proof that the Messiah will come one day. According to the Rambam, the Messiah will come from Jacob, more specifically, from the tribe of Judah.

In addition, the Zohar, the foundational work of Jewish mysticism describes in detail the stars that are prophesied to appear as a precursor to the Messiah.

After 40 days, when the pillar rises from earth to heaven in the eyes of the whole world and the Messiah has appeared, a star will rise up on the east, blazing in all colors, and seven other stars will surround that star. And they will wage war on it. (Zohar, Parshat Balak)

The prophecy of the Star of Jacob was applied to Simon bar Kokhba, leader of the Second Jewish Revolt of 132 CE, whose adopted name meant “Son of a Star” in Aramaic.
David Nekrutman, the executive director for the Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation (CJCUC), noted that it is impossible to say whether the Christian Star of Bethlehem has its roots in the Jewish Star of Jacob.

“The Star of Jacob is undeniably a strong part of Jewish eschatology,” Nekrutman told Breaking Israel News. “Whether or not the verse about the Star of Jacob is the basis for Matthew, one of the more Jewish-oriented sections of the New Testament, is the focus of serious debate in academia.”

Nekrutman noted that classical Jewish sources interpreted the Star of Jacob in two very different ways.

“One approach as explained by the Ibn Ha’Ezra holds that the Biblical verse is a prophecy that relates to the time of King David,” Nekrutman explained. “The other tradition as expressed by Nachmanides holds that the Star of Jacob is a prophecy that is for sometime in the future, a later Messianic period.”

Nekrutman noted that despite the Star of Jacob having its source in the Jewish Messianic narrative, it was not nearly as prominent as its Christian counterpart.

“This might be seen as an attempt by Judaism in the exile to distance or differentiate itself from the more prevalent Christian host culture,” Nekrutman said. “But I think there is a more internal reason the Star of Jacob got deemphasized.”

“The failure of the Bar Kochba revolt – which was considered a political Messiah – had a large impact on the interpretation of the Star of Jacob,” he said. “The failure of the revolt led the sages to deemphasize the eschatology of the Star of Jacob. That led to a preference for the explanation that the Star of Jacob was no longer relevant since it was described as already happening in the time of King David.”

“The Star of Jacob is interpreted according to where you are in Jewish history. Nachmanides lived in one of the lowest periods of Jewish history. He was seeing the Star of Jacob as part of a much brighter future. The Star of Jacob was going to be fulfilled.”

Nekrutman explained that just as historical influences led to deemphasizing the end-of-days explanation of the Star of Jacob, the current state of the Jewish people may lead towards a renewed emphasis on the end-of-days prophetic understanding.

“Now that we are in the Land of Israel and we have a Jewish state, the Star of Jacob can now be seen more in the light of Jewish eschatology and its relevance for the future Messiah of the Jews,” Nekrutman concluded.