The Drive. Once Again.
“I got up in the middle
of the night, I and a few men who were with me. I hadn't told anyone what my
God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal with us was the
one I was riding.” (Nehemiah 2:12, THE MESSAGE)
He did it again, now 16
years later. This time it was 1:22 am, as the red LED clock lights so
proclaimed at the top of my head on the ledge, on May 31, 2019.
As I first spent a
short time praying in tongues on our front porch swing, with the cool breeze
and 72F out, I felt led to take another drive at night. Trust me, this isn’t a “normal”
thing for me to do – get up during the middle of the night (well, that may be),
but not to go out for a “middle of the night” drive, even as Nehemiah was led
to do. Only he had a horse that he rode in his Jerusalem days. Mine has a bit
more “horse” power.
As I drove from our
home driveway, I first went into the little town of Pineville, North Carolina
and checked the Love For His People
mailbox we have. (P.O. Box 414, zip 28134 if you want to know.) One contribution.
Thank you, Lord.
Then I asked, “Where
next?”, and heard quietly in my spirit to see if the nearly installed south parking
lot lights at The River Place, which houses Antioch International Church,
Christians For Messiah Ministries, CMM (Jorge Parrot), Proverbs 226, a Spanish
church and more, were actually operationally at night. So, I drove there. It is
about 4 miles away from our house in Pineville, but across the South Carolina
state line, with a Fort Mill address.
Formerly, this was the
Heritage USA/PTL land, which Jim Bakker had in the 1980s.
As I drove to the “south
40” parking lot (as I like to call it) on The River Place land, I prayed for
the new and renovating construction being done over the last five years, as members of Antioch continue
praying and preparing for the oncoming gatherings that will take place here.
The Lord is not only restoring this property but will also once again open the
springs of life that have been filled in and covered over.
The Living God of Israel
has never been done with this place, as the enemy thought so when 25 years ago,
in 1994, it had completely shut down in November of that year and went into a
decade of decay. Another one of those times where the devil thought he had
entombed the plans and purposes of the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Not
so!
I made a full circle
around the outer perimeter of the lot, just to see how the lighting of the 3
light poles filled in the areas on the blacktop, yet having weeds coming up
through the 35-year old cracks. Then I left the property around 2:30 am,
thinking I was done with this mission.
Two of the 3 lights, with the light from the 3rd on the far left.
Just as I crossed back
over the bridge on Regent Parkway, heading east back to Dorman Road and home,
the Lord said, “You did not complete what I had brought you here for.”
So, in obedience, I
turned my silver 2017 Hyundai Elantra around (“Hi ho, Silver!”) and drove back
to the parking lot.
I waited to hear what
next.
“7 laps.”
Thus, another 7 laps on
this property, which I did 16 years ago.
Beginning at 2:38 am,
and ending at 2:54 am, I obediently did the laps. In my horse-driven silver
steed. I wrote down each lap with the time as I completed each. Along with a few other notes.
My 3" x 5" note card I always carry in my car, being I can't "text and drive" to myself.
Each time, as I prayed
in tongues and listened to Paul Wilbur’s “Roar From Zion” CD on my iPhone
through the car stereo, I envisioned the multitudes of cars that will fill this
parking lot - those coming to once again experience salvation, restoration, re-invigorating
mission assignments, and unification of His Body, as we so need.
I don’t always
understand why I do what He calls me to do, but as I simply seek to hear and
obey, He grants further understanding. Then He also knows He can trust me to
speak and share what He is doing in our midst, with increasing greater authority,
among those who also are open to receiving His directives.
Even though He already always
knows how we each will respond to Him, it is continually a learning experience for
you and me, even as one such as I who at age 64 is soon going on Medicare.
May you experience His
prophetic leadings, as you also hear and obey, though not always fully knowing
or having a complete understanding at the time why you do what He calls you to do.
Trust Him.
“But you, beloved,
ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our
Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, " In the last time there
will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts." These are the
ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.
But you,
beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy
Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of
our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
And have mercy on some, who are doubting;
save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear,
hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.” (Jude 17-23, NASU)
Do as He quietly says
through His Holy Spirit to you, being guided by His written Word (logos) and
His rhema (now spoken) Word. He will see your heart, your response, and then open
your eyes to even more of what He is now doing. Especially in your area and the
Land of Israel. We need to see and know.
Now think of this,
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People,
Inc.
P.S. On May 10 I returned from my 20th
trip to Israel. And guess what? I brought back for you my last 58 short videos
I entitled “Walk With Me in Israel”. You can join me as I walk through the
beautiful land and cities of Israel. Watch them here on our YouTube channel: Walk With Me - Israel May 2019
Also, my previous ones from other locations are
here also on YouTube: Walk With Me
If these messages have
ministered to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $10-$25 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.
Please donate online
safely through our website. Click here: DONATE
(or use the DONATE buttons on the blog.)
Contribution checks can
be sent to:
Love For His People,
Inc.
P.O. Box 414
Pineville, NC 28134
Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)
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Now Think On This #426 - in the year of our Lord 05.31.19 – “The Drive. Once
Again.” – Friday, 4:30 am