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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 messages by Steve Martin.
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Sharon Sanders, co-founder of Christian Friends of Israel in Jerusalem, is starting a new ZOOM - The Hall of Higher Learning - register now for free.
Steve Martin interview on Israel news channel with Bethlehem Voice, Paul Bernard Calvert
Steve and Laurie Martin, Christian Friends of Israel and YWAM David’s Tent young people in Bethlehem with Paul Bernard Calvert (far right).
Steve Martin’s new book, BACK TO JERUSALEM published January 2026.
Steve Martin was interviewed by Paul Bernard Calvert from Bethlehem, on his Israel news channel, BETHLEHEM VOICE YouTube channel.
Steve talks about his recent three months living and serving with Christian Friends of Israel in Jerusalem (his 30th trip to Israel since 1994) and his new book (his 40th) BACK TO JERUSALEM which made Amazon’s #1 new release and top seller for “Israel and Jerusalem travel.
Listen here to what Steve and his good wife Laurie did while in Jerusalem and throughout the Land, and also about anti-Semitism rising up in the USA.
WATCH HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T8YZ5_W1CE
Steve and Laurie near Jerusalem, Israel January 2026
Daniel in the Lion’s Den, Part 2. Paul Bernard from Bethlehem.
Daniel in the Lion’s Den - Part 2, Paul Bernard from Bethlehem
https://rumble.com/user/PaulBernard5
Paul has become a good friend we met while serving with Christian Friends of Israel in Jerusalem in December 2025. I enjoy his poems!
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin, Love For His People
A wonderful time with a Holocaust survivor in Haifa, Israel
This photo, a “Google creation” from the originals, has the Christian Friends of Israel and David’s Tent (YWAM) young people meet with a Holocaust survivor in her home near Haifa, Israel. December 2025
After she spoke of her time in the Nazi death camp, we had our photo taken with her. (Third one from the right in the back row, next to Laurie and myself.
Steve Martin, Love For His People
Charlotte, North Carolina
"Outward Appearances" by Steve Martin
Outside
Appearances
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7, NASB
The above Scripture speaks of the time when the Prophet Samuel sought the one whom the Lord wanted to be anointed as the next king of Israel, replacing Saul. As you read the chapter, Samuel was expecting the “biggest and the best” from Jesse’s sons when he went to Bethlehem as the God of Israel had instructed the prophet to do.
So were
Jesse and his sons. Expecting that one of his “top seven” was the one.
“But Adonai said
to Sh’mu’el, 'Don’t pay attention to how he looks or how tall he is, because I
have rejected him. Adonai doesn’t see the way humans see —
humans look at the outward appearance, but Adonai looks at the
heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7, Complete Jewish Bible
So too it is sometimes hard to “love” a person when we only
look at the outward appearance and see only the natural look. After all, aren't
all the beauty and masculine TV, Facebook, and social media ads based on the “Hollywood
look” that we are all to be as such?
On a recent outing to Panera Bread for my “Unlimited Sip
Club” coffee, or Mountain Dew (for only $5.00 per month, which I get no
commission for this ad!), it was a very cold January in Charlotte, North
Carolina. The restaurant was scheduled to open at 6:00 am, but even though I
could see two employees standing at the back of the restaurant talking, the
doors remained locked.
Outside in that frigid weather, with an electric hot heater
fan plugged into the brick wall outlet, a thin, black man sat at a metal table,
hunched over with nothing but a t-shirt under the light jacket he had pulled
over his head. When I approached him, I offered him a coffee when they finally opened.
He declined, saying, “I have a meeting at Harris Teeter across the street,”
then got up and left shortly after, carrying his three plastic bags of personal
belongings. So, I did too.
When I came back about 10 minutes later, he had returned to
the freezing position at the table. The Lord then directed me to get a spare
blanket from our car trunk, and I placed it around his shoulders.
From the outside, this was just “another homeless man”
wandering the streets of Charlotte. To the Lord, he was His creation, whom He
cared about.
Too often, we look at the outside appearance of each other
and make our judgments inwardly, if not spoken.
But as the Lord does, He looks at the heart and knows. While
others will reject the “Davids” we see in the field, or on the street, our
Father looks at the heart.
Maybe this man has great things in store for him.
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin
Message #2, 2026, “Outside Appearances”, Jan. 29, 2026, 4:02 am
#OutwardAppearances #SteveMartin #homelessman #Jesus #ProphetSamuel #PaneraBread #Hollywood #heart
Maggie Evans, Board member of Christian Friends of Israel in Jerusalem, killed tragically on Jan. 28, 2026
Maggie Evans, Christian Friends of Israel Jerusalem board member
We are devastated to announce that Maggie Evans, a long time member of Christ Church Jerusalem died today. She was killed outside her home when a crane mounted on a truck fell over and struck her. She died shortly after arriving at the hospital.
As a young woman, Maggie left her home in England to serve as a nurse in Bangladesh before coming to Israel in 1980. She was a resident of Jerusalem for forty-five years where she worked for the Near East Ministry (NEM) and for Sha’are Tzedek hospital until her retirement. She supported and contributed to other Christian ministries including the Christ Church Mercy Fund and Christian Friends of Israel.
Maggie was known for her prayerfulness and was well loved for her kindness, her encouraging words, and her care for the sick and needy.
Sharon Sander, co-founder, CFI-Jerusalem 01.29.26
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
ANNOUNCEMENT: Free E-book Feb. 1-Feb. 5, 2026. Steve Martin's new book "BACK TO JERUSALEM". (Also available in hard cover, paperback, and audiobook formats)
INTRODUCTION
From Oct. 16, 2025, to Jan. 12, 2026, my good wife Laurie (48 years of marriage and counting) and I had the most incredible time in Jerusalem and many parts of Israel. We had come to serve with Christian Friends of Israel Jerusalem, as needed.
As I sit on the back veranda of the apartment they provided for us, I watch the sun rise over the southeast as another of His glorious days begins. My heart is full of the love of Yeshua (Jesus) for this, His chosen city, His chosen Land, and His chosen people, the Jews.
We came to bring comfort to His people coming out from a heartbreaking war on the eight fronts the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were fighting, after the horrendous, murderous, home destruction years since October 7, 2023. The Israelis had been fighting for their lives, their families, their land promised to them by the Living God of Israel. We hoped to bring His love to them as Christians, standing on His Word.
God the Father did not fail them. In so many miraculous ways, He protected them, united them, and caused them to cry out to Him for His salvation.
Over 1200 Jewish civilians were lost that day. Over 1000 young men, women, and reserves have since been lost, destroyed by the enemy who seems never to go away.
“We just want peace,” is the cry of our friends’ hearts here in Jerusalem and the surrounding hills.
But, when the Messiah Yeshua returns to this very city, Jerusalem, they will know Him as their Peace King, their Shalom Most High.
Come Jesus! Bo Yeshua!
As that time of His return quickly approaches, we joined with several hundred Christians, coming from the nations, to comfort, stand in support, and let the love of the Father work through us for them.
In this, my 40th book, written during my 30th trip to Israel since the late 1990s, I share some of my stories. Some chapters are in the “present tense” because I wrote them at the time they occurred.
Many Jews are returning to their Land now, as prophesied centuries ago by Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Yeshua Himself. Christians are going to Israel to comfort and support them in their return.
And then Jesus (Yeshua) will return as the King of kings and Lord of lords.
I desire that the Lord Himself will touch your heart, and you, too, will join Him in this glorious work, to see His salvation come to the Jews and Arabs of Israel.
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin, Love For His People, Jerusalem, Israel, Jan. 7, 2026
My
hand on the Western Wall (Kotel) in Jerusalem.
#freebook #BackToJerusalem #Jesus #Yeshua #Jerusalem #Israel #SteveMartin #ChristianFriendsofIsrael
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
EXPEDITION ABRAHAM: From his birthplace to the Promised Land! Expedition Bible, Joel Kramer
#EXPEDITIONABRAHAM #birthplace #Abraham #Ur #PromisedLand #ExpeditionBible #JoelKramer #biblicalarchaeologist
"More of You, Lord!" - message by Steve Martin
More of You, Lord!
“We humans
keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails.” (Proverbs
19:2, The Message)
When the Lord
brings the generations together for His plans and purposes, heaven rejoices. So
do fathers, mothers, and grandparents!
And it shall
be, just as prophesied in Joel 2.
As you read
this chapter, you will see how we connected with those who follow in our
footsteps and with others who love the Lord’s Land of Israel and His chosen
ones who are coming back!
Coming to
Jerusalem, our hearts were open to whatever the Lord directed our steps. We
knew we would be involved with Christian Friends of Israel-Jerusalem, now
directed by Tristan and Galya Hall, but not much beyond that. So, Laurie and I
kept our “eyes fixed on Jesus,” knowing His plans and purposes are always
right. We have to hear and obey as He leads.
We also have a
heart for the next generation, having raised two sons, Josh and Ben, and two
daughters, Hannah and Christen. Watching our eight grands now grow (7 grandsons
and Dylan, our Joy) has been heartwarming. We so long to see all young adults
grasp the love and wonder that God the Father has planned for them, to know His
ways, and to allow Him to direct their steps.
“Trust God
from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one
who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God!”
(Prov. 3:5-7. The Message)
When six young
adults walked into the CFI-Jerusalem meeting room, our second week in the Land,
we were amazed. Five young ladies and a groom-to-be were coming aboard for two
weeks to partner with us. They were YWAMers (Youth With A Mission) from David’s
Tent ministry in Washington, D.C.
Olga Kopilova of CFI stands with the David’s Tent YWAMers. Leaders Taundi and Eric (married Nov. 26, 2025, at Succat Hallel), Grace Dillion (Concord, NC), Bronny (Idaho), Mary (Texas), and 18-year-old Han were full of life and love for Jesus.
These had
already been in Israel for a few weeks and were now committed to connecting
with CFI.
(Special
note: Grace turned 21 on Nov. 23. I had my 71st birthday on the same day. A
great day! Birthday party in Jerusalem!)
Our outreach
to Bethlehem and the surrounding areas in Jerusalem thrilled our hearts. Bonny
started calling us “father and mother.” (Though she is around 20, we are more
like her grandparents!)
Laurie Martin and Bronny of YWAM’s David’s Tent in Washington, DC
What a joy to
see the Lord moving on this generation! Even using the assassination of Charlie
Kirk, who had a tremendous impact on high school and college-age kids, the Lord
is pouring out His Holy Spirit on our children worldwide.
Fathers,
mothers, and grandparents are rejoicing and proclaiming, “More of you, Lord!”
“It will come
about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons
and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men
will see visions.” (Joel 2:28, NASB
Come Lord! Bo
Yeshua!
#DavidsTent #YWAM, #Jerusalem #CFI #ChristianFriendsofIsrael #Bethlehem #Israel #Jerusalem
"Friendships. Need Them." Message by Steve Martin, Love For His People Ministry
Laurie
Martin on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, Israel, with Steve Martin
Friendships.
Need Them.
“A man of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24
One thing I have valued in life is having at least one good friend. The Bible warns against having too many friends, which can lead to ruin. (I guess Solomon’s downfall was having too many wives. Imagine that!)
When I was a freshman in
high school, back in 1969, I attended Columbus High School (Catholic) in
Waterloo, Iowa. This kid had his locker underneath mine, as the lockers were
arranged in double rows along the main corridor. I was annoyed each time he came
to his locker when I was at mine. He would be in my way.
By the end of our high
school days, he had become my best friend. Denny Brennan. He ended up marrying
the daughter of the local TV channel’s newscaster (two years his junior from
the same high school) and becoming a butcher with his own shop in Cedar Falls,
Iowa. I am not sure whether the two situations, the newscaster’s sweetheart
daughter and butchering, are related. But it is a fact.
Reflecting on my life of
71 years thus far, I recall some other treasured moments, new beginnings in
fact, when the Lord brought someone to me to be together for His plans and
purposes.
Of course, I must begin
with my beautiful wife, Laura Jean Unzicker Martin, who came to the former
Baptist church every Sunday night in her hometown of LaSalle/Peru, Illinois,
with her high school senior best friend, Susan. The “Holy Ghost, Pentecostal-driven,
demon-deliverance, powerful worship times with guitars” service was the hottest
one in the town of 10,000. Pastor Stan Buren had it going, along with the young
men’s worship team of Ron Wey, Bob Smith, Mark Buren, and Mark Rummler. I would
think the high school girls had other reasons for coming besides wanting more of the Lord Jesus in their lives.
Stan, himself the former
Southern Baptist who had been kicked out of his independent church by the one
vote of a 12-year-old, years earlier, had gotten “baptized in the Holy Spirit”.
That didn’t mix well with the Baptists. Just a fact.
More commonly known as
Laurie, I admired this 17-year-old with her Dorothy Hamill haircut (an Olympic
skater gold medalist in 1976) and her white painter pants.
Yes, I married her. Laura Jean Unzocker. Age 18. Photo on the way to our honeymoon in Mobile, Alabama, in 1977.
Susan, her friend who
brought her, had an eye for me.
My eyes went to Miss
Unzicker.
You can read the full
story in my book, The
Promise: The Journey of a Lifetime, if
your curiosity gets the better of you. For the rest is history.
Our Lord, the Living God
of Israel, Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, brings people together for His
eternal plans and purposes. Sometimes, in fact almost always, we never realize
the importance of those moments when friendships start, but looking back, we
can be amazed at the goodness and love the Lord has for each of us. I
personally love His plans. They are always the best.
Treasure the friendships
and relationships He gives you. While it will be a “give and take”, as two or
more walk together, the destination will be incredible, as you seek Him in all
that you do.
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin, Founder
Message: “Friendships. Need Them.” Origianlly published on June 9, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina
Website: Love For
His People
Email: Love For His People
Facebook: Steve Martin/Love For His
People
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Labels: camel, friends, friendships, Israel, Love For
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All Israel News - People of Israel moved to tears as the last hostage is released.
Click here: All Israel News - People of Israel moved to tears. Last hostage released.
#AllIsraelNews #PeopleofIsrael #tears #Lasthostagereleased
Vision at the Airport, Jerry Golden
Vision at the Airport
Jerry Golden, Dec. 19, 2005
It looked like I was the only one on this flight sitting there at gate B-4 in the new Tel Aviv Airport on my way once again to the Island of Cyprus for meetings and shopping for the larger boat. It was then that I heard the voice we learn to recognize after many years of walking with the Ruach HaKodesh as our daily guide. So now I will report to you what I was told in the spirit.
“There will be many things happening in the days ahead that you will not understand, but you must keep your eyes on the mission I have given you; you must not doubt my Word as it has been spoken unto you. For when things begin to look as if there is no possible way for Israel to be saved, I will save my beloved Israel. Many will perish, and many will fall away, but My Word will always prevail above the knowledge of man. When all looks lost and My chosen turn to me in repentance once again, I will reach down my hand of salvation to them. There are those who have been called to assist you in the mission. Some will come forward, and others will refuse, but that need not concern you, for your mission shall not fail, for it is ordained by My Spirit to succeed.
As you travel on this and other missions, I will send My Spirit with you and before you but beware of the Deceiver for he moves in dark places ready to cause you misfortune and suffering but as long as you keep your eyes on Me he will not prevail but suffer terrible defeat at My hands. By the witness of My Spirit, I will show you who to trust, walk very carefully, for there will be many dangers, walk in My love, fearing no man. Remember to pray always seeking the protection of the Angel who will watch over you.”
It was then that I realized that the seats around me had filled up and some of the travelers nearest me where looking at me very strangely, I wondered if I had been speaking out loud. It looked like it would be a full flight after all. This was one trip I knew would be successful for it started in a very special and wonderful way.
I wrote all this down with pen and paper knowing that I would share it with you when I returned to Israel in 4 days.
Jerry Golden, “The Golden Report”
Dec. 19, 2005, Israel
#visionattheairport #BenGurionAirport, #JerryGolden #propheticword #Israel