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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.
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
‘Mothers With Meaning’ Help Make Miracles Happen - Breaking Israel News
Be Happy - Now Think On This by Steve Martin
Now Think On This
Steve Martin
“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:25-27, NKJV)
Early on in my Christian walk, during my high school days, in fact, I learned that if the world is going one way, then those who call upon the Name of the Lord, believers, are best to go the other. Follow the crowd and you got lost. Choose the opposite walk, and the best reward came.
There always seems to be a fad. Dress this way. Talk that way. Be cool, be noticed, be the one that the opposite sex loves to be around. And in order to get to that point, concentrate on yourself, your advancement, your body above all. For, after all, you are the most important, right? Doesn’t God want you to be happy? Aren’t you meant to seek the good, especially for yourself? Is it not true that if you are to be happy, then you must seek after becoming the best, the brightest, the most sought after in terms of popularity and all that is good in the world?
Is this not the purpose of our being in existence? To be happy? To be “me” in all my glory?
And where has our society gone these days? Many are into the “self-help” concept, whether they know it or not. If you carefully look around, what is the utmost focus of almost everything coming at you? “It is all about you.”
“Do this for you.” “Achieve that for yourself.” “Get the most out of life. You deserve it.”
Me, me, me.
Even in the mainline churches, the mainline message is how to improve yourself; how to get what you need; how to find your love, your career, your fame, your fortune, your opportunities. Self-improvement. After all, it is all about self.
Being happy is the best thing that you can be.
To get right to the point – self-seeking is not from God, but from the enemy of our souls. The way we are pushed to go, to strive after, is the very way that at the end of things pushes us away from the very One Who created us, our Father in heaven. The very One Who alone can satisfy our souls.
What was Jesus’ response to the one who had sought it all, had it all, and was still seeking to keep it all?
“So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.
And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
And those who heard it said, "Who then can be saved?"
But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."
Then Peter said, "See, we have left all and followed You."
So He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life." (Luke 18:22-30, NKJV)
My heart grieves for our generation, and the generation that I was given to lead in the way they are to go. How we have sought after all that never satisfies, never fulfills. We are always seeking more, more, and even more. But our seeking is very much misdirected.
Have we failed to understand that to seek to fulfill our self and our desires have only robbed us of the greatest good?
“Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?” (Matthew 16:24-26, THE MESSAGE)
I suggest that to find what you are looking for in life is to give what gifts you have; what knowledge you have been given; what talents the Almighty God has blessed you with…give it in service to others. When you give, then you get. Is that not what He promised us?
More money. Not. More of the latest fashion? Not. The latest hot car, hot date, hot life? It has been proven not so. Get it all and you have gained nothing.
What has been proven to fulfill one’s life is to give it in serving our Lord – living the life laid done, given in serving Him and His purposes, not ours.
You want to be happy? Give yourself to others. And then you will fulfill that heart cry in yourself, which the Lord Himself put there. Do that what He has given you to do. It is not seeking self-gain. It is seeking and doing for eternal gain.
The more you give, the more you get. It is an eternal promise from the Creator of our lives.
Then you will be happy.
Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).
Now think on this,
Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc.
P.S. Want an adventure walking on short adventures? Check this out: "Walk With Me" video series with Steve Martin.
Also, I hope you get my latest book, Adventures in Courage, published in November 2018. Paperback or Kindle versions. This was my 19th authored publication. (Yes, this is an advertisement!) Buy here on Amazon: Adventures in Courage
If these messages have ministered to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $10-$50 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families in Israel whom we consistently help monthly through our humanitarian work. Your tax-deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.
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Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)
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Now Think On This #381 - in the year of our Lord 01.16.19 – “Be Happy” – Wed. 6:00 am
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
'Pastor Stanley's Words Are Dangerous': Messianic Believers Say 2nd Biggest US Church Should NOT Ditch Old Testament - CBNNews.com
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Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog - “Dude, how can you be Jewish and believe in Jesus?” Here’s my answer.
 New post on Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog |
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Atheists Warn Schools Against Ark Encounter Field Trips - Ark Founder Calls Their Bluff in a Big Way - CBN News Steve Warren
Ken Ham. Photo courtesy: Answers in Genesis
Atheists Warn Schools Against Ark Encounter Field Trips - Ark Founder Calls Their Bluff in a Big Way
01-14-2019
CBN News Steve Warren
A Wisconsin-based atheist group has taken aim at the Ark Encounter tourist attraction in Williamstown, Kentucky by sending a letter to more than 1,000 school districts in five states, warning them that a field trip to the Ark would be unconstitutional.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation wrote: "Public schools cannot organize trips for students to either the Creation Museum or the Ark Park. It is unacceptable to expose a captive audience of impressionable students to the overtly religious atmosphere of (Ken) Ham's Christian theme parks."
Back in August, the group known as American Atheists mailed similar letters to schools in Kentucky.
Ken Ham, the Ark Encounter's founder, said the atheist groups are merely trying to bully and intimidate kids while continuing their attacks against Christians.
"The atheist groups like American Atheists and the Freedom From Religion Foundation have been increasingly aggressive to restrict the free exercise of religion — particularly Christianity — and they've tried to brainwash people with an interpretation of the First Amendment...it does not mean that Christians are second class citizens," he told Fox News.
Ham explained that all school officials have to do is to tell their kids that their visit is intended to be merely educational. Students do not have to believe what they see, much like visiting a mosque.
"I would like to see some public schools and public parks to stand up to them and not succumb to their bullying and intimidation," Ham said. "Because the FFRF has sent letters to 1,000 school districts, I'm offering them free admission for the teachers, students who come on an official public school trip."
"And if they do sue them, we have expert attorneys who are willing to defend them in court and I'd like to see a test case go to the Supreme Court and stop this nonsense from these atheist groups who try to outlaw Christian influence in this nation," he added.
Faith leaders like evangelist Franklin Graham have come out in support of Ham and his efforts.
On Saturday, Graham posted to his Facebook page about the incident, writing: "Noah wasn't intimidated by atheists in his day, and neither is the builder of the Ark Encounter in Kentucky, Ken Ham. The liberal, atheist Freedom From Religion Foundation sent letters to 1,000 school districts in 5 states, threatening them that they could not bring students to the Ark Encounter on field trips because it was unconstitutional. The American Atheist group had also sent letters to Kentucky schools. Ken is right, these godless, hyper-secular groups have "tried to brainwash people with an interpretation of the First Amendment." I really like Ken's response! He's offering all of those school districts FREE ADMISSION to students and teachers who come on public school field trips! I hope every school takes him up on the offer. What an opportunity! There's no question it's educational and filled with #truth. Comment below to let Ken Ham and everyone at the Ark Encounter know that you will pray for them to stand strong and continue their great work."
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