"Jaffa Street in the heart of Jerusalem" - Walk With Me - Jerusalem Ahava Adventures, Steve Martin.

 "Jaffa Street in the heart of Jerusalem" - Walk With Me - Jerusalem Ahava Adventures, Steve Martin.

The light rail train keeps the people of Jerusalem moving quickly, to work, school, and the many activities they travel to. Sept. 10, 2022, Jerusalem, Israel Videos were filmed and shared by Steve Martin, Founder, Love For His People Ministry in Jerusalem, Israel on another Ahava Adventure.

Derek Prince, Lance Lambert, Messianic Jews, Christian Zionists burial sites - Jerusalem, Israel - Walk With Me, Steve Martin

Derek Prince, Lance Lambert, Messianic Jews, Christian Zionists burial sites - Jerusalem, Israel (2) Nov. 6, 2022 Walk with me, Steve Martin, as we go to the Alliance Cemetery in southern Jerusalem, the German Colony, where many Messianic Jews, Bible teachers, Christian Zionists (believing Israel is for the Jews), and those who loved and supported the Jews coming to Israel are buried.

The cemetery keeper Meir speaks of Derek's life and the others buried here. Videos filmed and shared by Steve Martin, Founder, Love For His People Ministry in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.
 

Ever been to the German Colony in Jerusalem? I will show you some as you Walk With Me. Steve Martin

 

Ever been to the German Colony in Jerusalem? I will show you some as you walk with me. Steve Martin Nov. 3, 2022 Jerusalem, Israel Another section of the capital city of Israel where the German immigrants coming to the Land in the early 20th century mostly set up neighborhoods. Videos filmed and shared by Steve Martin, Founder, Love For His People Ministry in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.

Persistently Consistent - Steve Martin

 

Zoe

Persistently Consistent - Steve Martin

“Four things on the earth are small; nevertheless, they are very wise — the ants, a species not strong, yet they store up their food in the summer…” (Proverbs 30:24-25, Complete Jewish Bible)

We all have heard stories of the ants, of how they work and work and work. I can certainly attest to that. Living here in the South (southeastern part of the USA) over these past 30 years has presented many encounters with the red fire ants. These are the ones that when they bite you, you know it because it hurts. Then a short time later, small, red blisters cover your ankles or elsewhere on those parts of the body that were exposed. Sometimes they even get you under your socks, and then it is later that you feel their bite. Just great.

I have found a method that works for me, to rid my beautiful, weed-infested yard of their hills. For if you don’t deal with them, you will have nice mountains of red clay all over your scenery. So what I found that works is this.

Step on the mound with your foot (shoe on of course) to flatten the mound out. This causes them to eventually move on to the neighbor’s yard. Or if the mound has already grown to be bigger than your foot, take a plank of wood, lay it on top, step on it, and then roll it over to smash the next section. Repeat as needed. Works every time! No pesticides. No buckets of hot water to carry. No bleach killing the rest of your lawn.

It must be said of the ant colonies – they are persistently consistent.

They never give up. They never give in. They keep on working even better than the Energizer Bunny did. (Is he still around, or did his battery finally die out?)

One thing that I have found that also “works” in my Christian life, is to be faithful in the small and the large, is to be persistently consistent in what I do. Then I trust, as He promised, that I will finish the race and get His reward.

After all, who doesn’t like rewards? Even Zoe, our now deceased 12-year-old loving Dachshund, knew that if she consistently finished her doggy supper she would get a rawhide bone! You can bet she likes rewards.

"If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people's things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?” (Luke 16:10-12) New Living Translation

Want to know what are some things in the disciplined Christian life that please our Father in heaven? Seeing His children be faithful in prayer; spending time learning about His ways in His Written Word; and being the one who others can count on when a need needs to be met.

If you learn to be persistently consistent in your doing, you shall obtain the reward, and help others achieve that objective also.

Good servants of the Most High can be counted on, for they have learned to press on and not give up.

We Bless by Steve Martin

 

                                                    Arriving off the train at the Jerusalem depot. Steve Martin

"Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.” Romans 15:27, NASU

 Every time the Lord gives me the opportunity to go to Israel as part of our Love For His People Ministry, I greatly enjoy spending time with our good friends among the Jewish people. Some we have known for 17 years now. Blessing them, as the good Lord has instructed us as Christians, has been on my heart now for over 48 years, beginning when I was first given the understanding of our debt to Israel and the Jewish people. Because of their faithfulness to the living God of Israel in spiritual things, we now have an indebtedness to them in material things.

Because of His faithfulness to them above all, the Jews, we Gentiles, now believers, have been grafted into the olive tree as well.

“And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, 18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.” Romans 11:17-18, NKJV

Standing with the Messianic Jewish believers in the Land and befriending the “pre-believers” has enriched my spiritual life for many years. These connections the Lord has made continue to grow, as we see the days becoming darker and His light shining even more.

Being friends with Nissim and Hadassah, Nouri, Avraham, Uri, Danny Boy, Chaim and Deanna, Richard and Carolyn, Kokeb and Menalu, and the several ministries we have stood with and supported over the years allows the Holy Spirit to do what He has given us to do as our part in the restoration and salvation of Israel and His people re-gathered there once again, as He prophesied centuries ago.

I have written previous messages of the debt Christians owe the Jews, as I first heard and learned from the great Bible teacher Derek Prince. Because of the Lord’s granting them as a people the knowledge of Him and His Word, the Torah, through whom our Messiah Jesus has come, Yeshua HaMashiach, we are now too grafted into the olive tree, and can partake of their salvation and inheritance, among all Who call upon the Name of the Lord.

Understanding this basic, vital foundation in the life of believers is necessary for further unity in His Body, as He joins Jew and Gentile into the One New Man, the Bride that is being prepared for the return of the Son of God, Yeshua (Jesus).

Thank You, Father, for Your great plan of salvation, which has been laid out in completion through the Word of God, from Genesis through Revelation. Seeing Your fulfillment of prophecies and plans from Your heart encourages us to press on as we now do our part through faith and obedience.

Bless the people of Israel, Lord, and may those be blessed who realize the debt we owe them and seek to bless them also.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

Founder, Love For His People

"Walk With Me' in the City of David on the street up to the Old City from the Pool of Siloam.

Break Away - Steve Martin

 

Break Away

 

“Then Jesus went into a house to get away from the crowd…” Mark 7:17, NLT

 

Even Jesus needed to get away at times, to break away from the cares and concerns of the world around Him. Not to just “escape from the world” but to take a break, to get some rest, to be with the Father and inquire of Him.

Have you done this lately? To get up earlier than normal; to turn off the news on the TV or radio; to get out of your routine and spend some time with the Lord Who created you and knows what you need?

We all need that time. We need to break away.

I think back to the days growing up, with eight kids in the family. For sure it was a house full, but for the most part, we all got along, and still do to the day. Five girls and three boys, with Dad and Mom working hard every day to keep a roof on our heads and food on the table. It surprises me today when couples struggle to raise one or two kids. Yes, I know it is a different time, but still, I wonder at times where the priorities are with people. They certainly have changed.

Dad had his two weeks of vacation the same time every year, the first two weeks in August, when the foundry shut down (they made water pumps in Cedar Falls, Iowa) and every worker was off. Saving up for the entire year prior, and working two jobs to do it, Dad had enough money for us to go on camping trips, with a big tent, and hauling all in the homemade trailer he had made to pull behind the 1960 Ford station wagon. He even painted it the same color – baby blue. Later when we could afford a camping trailer that slept eight it was much better. Two had to always sleep in the station wagon when we all went.

It was a fun time. It was family time. It was time to get away and live for two weeks in God’s creation outdoors. Campfires. S’mores. Even having a bear snatch our food in the middle of the night happened on a Colorado family adventure.

But one thing else I remember, the other 50 weeks of the year. My Mom would spend time reading her Bible and praying almost every morning of the week before the rest of us occupied her day. She would take time to be with the Lord, seek His face, and get strength and assurance for the rest of the day. Often Christian music on records would be playing in the phonograph (a record player, for the younger generation who only know of MP3 technology.)

She would wisely take time to break away.

Maybe you can’t always get that annual vacation trip or the weekend away very often. But we all have 24 hours in the day, and we need to spend more time with the Lord. Just as Jesus did, our God Who became man, and yet took time to get away and spend with His Father.

And as you give Him time to refresh you, to encourage you, to let you know of His continuing love and ongoing care, you just may be passing it on to others who will be watching and later follow your example.

Be blessed as you seek Him.

Steve Martin

Love For His People Founder

Man of War and Mighty Men - Steve Martin

          

Man of War and Mighty Men

 

"Now these are the heads of the mighty men whom David had, who gave him strong support in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the Lord concerning Israel.” 1 Chronicles 11:10-11, NASU

 

Anyone and everyone who knows Bible history are very familiar with King David. From the time he was taken from the shepherd’s field in Israel and anointed king by the prophet Samuel, through his gallant leading of his mighty men to remove the ungodly from the land, and onto reigning as king over the tribes of Israel, David bears witness as a large living example in the walk of faith.

The Lord raised up David and put him in positions to first take on the lions and bears attacking the sheep; then the giant Goliath; and further beyond to the people of Canaan who did not know the Living God of Israel but instead served false and evil gods.

During his mighty battles and wars, the men who fought under David’s experienced leadership fought through the rigors of war. Many received wounds and sufferings as they took the Land that was to be theirs, given first to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the generations following them.

How ironic that believers today often fail to understand the natural and spiritual battles that we go through, believing that once saved all becomes a rose garden. But we must realize that that is part of the promise yet to come. The beautiful rose garden.

So, here on this earth it is a battle for us in both the natural and the spiritual, fought on our knees, but at times calling for us to take up arms to destroy the wicked who threaten us and our families.

The Lord Himself, the Anointed One, the One with the armies of heaven on His side, clearly states of things yet to come.

"In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the one who is feeble among them in that day will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord before them. "And in that day I will set about to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.” Zechariah 12:8-9, NASU

Is this just a spiritual battle that is coming, which I believe is sooner than many would want to realize, in our day? If I read it correctly, there is some major physical conflict going on “in that day.” The Lord Himself will destroy the nations that come against Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, and the Jewish inhabitants. No doubt about that.

Did not Israel have to take the promised land in Joshua and David’s time, and then fight to keep it in the 1948 War of Independence, the Six-Day War, the Yom Kippur War, and today yet battling the ongoing rocket attacks from Hamas in Gaza, and threats from Hezbollah in Lebanon? With Syria’s threats on the east and others further north? And as always, Iran trying to carry out their promises of completely destroying Israel with nuclear bombs while many shut their blind eyes?

Am I also saying that there is war coming in these days in America? Did not the first Americans fight a Revolutionary War, while generations later the Civil War, followed by two world wars and so many after that?

Maybe so. And Christians will be called upon to defend truth, righteousness, and the godly principles the Righteous God has set forth in His Eternal Word. His will being done won’t come by just letting the enemy run amuck in our land, with rampant lawlessness and violence carried out under the guise of “peaceful marches” and “my right to protest any way I want.” His will certainly will be done as it has been done in history gone by.

David’s men fought and won for the King.

American men and women fought for freedom to be maintained in our land and the freedom of others needing our help to defend theirs.

The Lord is raising up godly men and women, brave and courageous, not afraid to give their lives for the lives of the unborn, children, young and old, among all families, and to take a stand and fight for that which is right and true.

I am not a man of war. But our God is a Man of War, and He does and will do whatever it takes to give His people, Jew and Gentile together, that which His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, died, buried, and rose again for - a Bride and people unto Himself.

“The Lord will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies.” Isaiah 42:13, NASU

Prepare yourself. Our God reigns, and He will have the last word.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin, Love For His People founder

Heart of Compassion - Steve Martin, Love For His People Ministry

 

Heart of Compassion

"Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36-37, NASU

Many of us still remember our years in high school. For some, it was a good time, experiencing those growing and transforming years when we thought we knew everything there was to know and were ready to conquer the world. (Maybe this year I will be able to go to my 50^th graduation anniversary.)

For others, we may have wanted to just get those days over so we could get out of there. There may have been too many times that the other students did as is so commonly done in every generation – teasing, belittling, rejection, and more.

There were two boys in my senior class who always seemed to get the brunt of the jokes, the ones others picked on. Neither Gene nor Bernie had the handsome looks, wore the latest in clothes in fashion, or received good grades in any of the classes that I knew of. In fact, there were some who were just plain mean to them.

Gene’s face was covered with pimples, as acne was an obvious problem. Most days he needed a good shampoo too, as his jet-black hair was slick, and not with the stuff intended to be used. As he walked the halls to each class, he would slump down, not looking up except to confirm his whereabouts. When he did talk his words were quiet and his speech slurred. It was believed that Gene’s dad was a lawyer, but that status didn’t do Gene any good.

Bernie was sadly called the “Hunchback of Notre Dame”. He had a large body with a deformed hump on his back. Generally, his clothes were from a second-hand store, obviously costly little to purchase. He was ridiculed and scorned for something he could not change on his own.

It didn’t matter that he was enrolled in this Catholic high school, Columbus High in Waterloo, Iowa. Every kid in that school needed to be saved and know salvation through Jesus. Just because you could call yourself a Catholic didn’t make you a Christian. There were not many students attending there that I knew were born again, sad to say.

It was the Lord who gave me a heart of compassion for Gene and Bernie.

As much as I could be their friend, I was. I stood with them. I communicated with them. I walked the halls with them. Because of the Lord’s heart that He had for each, He had allowed me to befriend them as no one else would.

The Chosen TV series does a great portrayal of the Savior’s heart for His creation. As Yeshua walked this earth as God in the flesh, He showed the love of His Father and taught the disciples to do the same. Often as more than words can say, His actions spoke forth what He continues to long for each of us to communicate to those He places around us.

As St. Francis is known for saying, “Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.”

In reading again the verse I started out with above, understand the one verse that follows it, with Yeshua speaking of the harvest. Many people and nations experience suffering and the need for the Lord’s love. It is His Body that is able and must share it.

“Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, " The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. "Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." Matthew 9:36-38, NASU

Each of us knew, or know, a Gene or a Bernie. Or maybe you were that one in high school who got the brunt of the jokes and the ridicule. Know that Jesus was there and felt your hurt and pain, and above all, it is His compassion that can and will heal you, and those others who know the same.

May His heart of compassion be growing in your heart, as you too express love to those who know so little of it and need what you have to share. Let us each have a heart of compassion.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

Founder, Love For His People

Confidence by Steve Martin, Love For His People Ministry

 

Confidence

 

“He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist…” Acts 17:26-28, NASU

 

Our times are in His hands. Or as it is written, “Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling.” Psalm 66:9, New Living Translation

When you believe that Word, that indeed our times are in His hands, and He does keep us from fumbling and stumbling around, you will do awesome deeds for the Lord and His people. You will have built confidence in His Name, and in His actions in your life. You trust that what He says He is going to do, He will do it. Enough said.

When Laurie and I were part of a small group in LaSalle/Peru, Illinois back in the day (1976-1980 to be exact) called Victory Church, and then the name was changed for identifiable purposes to Victory Community, we had to trust the Lord when we were placed in one of the common purse community homes, with four other couples. And we were newlyweds! O Lord!

When He called us to leave the town of her birth, childhood, and teen years included, with her parents and two sister families being left behind, we ventured out, with our two young sons Josh and Ben. We relocated to East Lansing, Michigan in 1980, along with several other church families, to become part of Shiloh Fellowship (later changed to New Covenant Christian Church in the early 1980s). We were wanting to be a part of the Shepherding Movement happening in that decade.

We had to have confidence in Him.

Then when He set another divine appointment time for seven years in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which we honestly called, “Our time in hell” due to not only the heat but the spiritual battles we fought, our trust level in Him had to be raised higher. Again, we needed to know He still loved us, had called us there and hoped He would soon deliver us back to the rest of the USA. On staff at both Derek Prince Ministries and Mahesh Chavda Ministries for those seven years was a challenge, but with His grace, we were overcomers in that appointed time also.

In 1994 both ministries, not necessarily in conjunction with each other, moved families, staff, and offices to the beautiful land of North Carolina. Charlotte to be exact. Cutting 13 hours from the length of time it now took to travel back home to Iowa and Illinois once or twice a year was truly a blessing. The Lord does have mercy, especially when the four kids, now having added Hannah and Christen to the tribe, had to sit on suitcases in the back seat of the four-door Ford while enduring those Chevy Chase “National Lampoon Vacation” adventures on the interstates. In our case, it was Martin’s Traveling Show.

I think you are getting the point. As we daily put our lives in His hands, we learn to trust Him increasingly, believe more firmly that He has our utmost at heart, knows what He is doing, and will complete that which He started in us.

We often quote the verse about Him knowing His plans for us, and sometimes it can just get too “familiar” and we dismiss it. But think about it a bit longer.

The One Who dispersed the Jews out of Israel in the 70s A.D. is bringing them back home in our day, just as He promised. Given that mighty, daily, awesome miracle taking place right before our eyes, we can have complete confidence that again, what He says He will do, He will do.

“For I know what plans I have in mind for you,’ says Adonai, ‘plans for well-being, not for bad things; so that you can have hope and a future. When you call to me and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you seek me, you will find me, provided you seek for me wholeheartedly; and I will let you find me,’ says Adonai. ‘Then I will reverse your exile. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have driven you,’ says Adonai, ‘and bring you back to the place from which I exiled you.’ Jeremiah 29:11-14, Complete Jewish Bible

We serve an awesome God. (Sing it, Rich Mullins! Our God is an Awesome God)

If we continually walk in faith, we can have the assurance that our God, our Father, knows best. I want to encourage you to not let up, not to give in, press on in faith, hope, and love, and know that the confidence He gives you will carry you through.

You will do mighty deeds. You will accomplish mighty acts. You will be as the Lord God of Israel created you to be and do!

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin, Love For His People founder

Believe It Or Not by Steve Martin

 

Believe It Or Not by Steve Martin

"Then this word of Adonai came to him: “Get up; go to Tzarfat, a village in Tzidon; and live there. I have ordered a widow there to provide for you.” 1 Kings 17:8-10, Complete Jewish Bible

We all know the verse, “Give and it shall be given to you.” Not enough most likely believe it though. I purposely didn’t share that verse at the top of this message for it may have become one of those, “Yeah, I have heard that plenty of times. Usually right before the offering. What else have you got?”

The verse I did share from 1 Kings tells of Elijah the Prophet going out as the Lord had instructed, then speaking to the widow as he asked for food. As you also know the story, she gave what she had, knowing that her son and herself were running out of provision themselves. It is a good, factual, story to learn from in our walk with the same God.

If one believes something, he, or she (not “it”, or any other pronoun) they do it. And the more often they do, the more it becomes a way of life.

We are given many examples in the Lord’s Word of giving something in faith and then seeing the Lord give it back, over and abundantly beyond what the giver thought possible.

We have many examples of His faithfulness and honesty. The widow and her bread and oil. Yeshua (Jesus) and the fish and loaves from the young boy, before feeding the multitude who had followed Him. And then of course His first miracle, taking the jars of water at the Cana wedding and turning them into the best wine. Each one had to first give something for His to use. He then multiplied it in return, benefiting many, including themselves.

Stories only? Or are these all factual moments for us to read, hear, and believe that the Lord is “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

Most Americans don’t really believe that verse from Hebrews because we can always go around the corner to the grocery or big-box store, or order on Amazon and get whatever we want the next day, or even within hours now. For many there is no need to trust the Lord for provision.

And with our checking account usually having some money in it, why trust the Lord for anything such as these stories tell us?

I tend to think we are about to learn many lessons in these days requiring us to trust more, in faith.

How can we walk in the ways of the Lord if we don’t practice walking in the ways of the Lord?

I recently told a young man this very thing. If we say we know the Lord, and do things our way, do we really know the Lord? If we don’t do things His way, then how can we say we are believers? How can we say we know Him? How can we say we do what He says to do in His Word, when we don’t even know what His Word says or take the needed time to ask Him daily what He wants to say to us, to hear and obey?

Are we living His life or our own? For Him or for ourselves?

I personally would doubt what you tell me if your life shows me you actually believe something else. True?

Givers give. And the Lord says, once again, “Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back — given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity." Luke 6:38, THE MESSAGE

I encourage you to practice, yes practice, what you preach. Does your walk keep up with your mouth? I hope so!

And no, this is not a request for contributions! It is a desire to see more believers believe what the Lord asks us to believe.

Believe it or not.

At the Appointed Time - Steve Martin, Love For His People Ministry

 At the Appointed Time

“Is anything too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Genesis 18:14, NASB

 

Always wanting to read a good book, I looked over the hundreds in my home library bookcases for one I hadn’t as yet read. But then my eye was drawn to the hardback “Appointment in Jerusalem” by Derek and Lydia Prince (Whitaker House 2005).

Having had the honor of serving with Derek Prince Ministries in the late 1980s and again 2000-2005, for a total of eight years, I had all of Derek’s books, and indeed had read each up through that time. Whenever one of his new books was published, and there were many, each staff member was given a free copy. Some autographed.

I consider Derek one of the greatest Bible teachers I have ever known. With sound, biblical, foundational teaching, some topics which few wrote on, then and now, Derek’s simple but clear understanding was shared in word and script with thousands over his years. I highly recommend his teachings for any who seek sound truth. And being he only used his Bible and Strong’s Concordance in his study, there is no mix of worldly speculation and hearsay.

Even though I had read the 1975 first edition of “Appointment in Jerusalem” a few decades ago (you can buy the book here from Derek Prince Ministries), I wanted to read it again. Given our ministry of Love For His People’s commitment to Israel and the Jews, and the ongoing passion we have as Christians in support of them, it seemed good to do so once again.

As wonderfully described in the publication, Derek’s first wife Lydia struggled at first, but finally made the commitment to go to Jerusalem, leaving her family, job, and home in Denmark to do so. Being led in much the same as she found out later as doing what the Lord had called Abraham to do – go and do without knowing where, how, or what all would come of it – she obeyed with little in her pocket and many uncertainties the first year.

This autobiography is a great encouragement for those willing to hear and obey the Lord’s call.

As I read through the chapters, I again recalled how the Lord had led our family, from Illinois, to Michigan, to Florida, and then finally to North Carolina. It has been a journey we had not planned or anticipated but can truly proclaim it has been led by the Spirit of God. Seeing the Lord provide in unexpected ways, joining us with many others along the way, we too have seen the hand of God.

There was one specific example of trusting the Lord in Lydia’s story regarding her first adopted daughter Tikvah. Particularly when she saw the life of Abraham revealed and played out in her own life as she too was called to “give up” in order to then receive back bountifully. At the appointed time, God’s appointed time, it happened. Her faith and trust grew greatly as a result.

Each of us will experience times along the road we walk where we will be challenged in our faith to trust the Lord. For all, it is that first step of accepting forgiveness from Him for our sin, and then committing to Him our life to lead as He knows is best.

And as each year goes by, even after decades of walking with the Lord, He will present a challenge before us to choose in faith to decide His will or go with our own decision. And even as Abraham, Lydia, and so many more who have gone before us, we too must decide to seek Him for the right choice of the many we will have presented before us.

At the appointed time, as we stay true in our faith, we will see the hand of the Lord bring the provision, the protection, the direction He has for our life, our families, and our nations. He will never be late. Sometimes we will be right at the cliff, but when we jump, He provides the wings.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin, Love For His People founder

The Stewardship of Generosity - Morris Ruddick

 

Morris Ruddick

The Stewardship of Generosity

Never has there been a time that I have been more conscious of the presence spoken of in Hebrews regarding that great cloud of witnesses. With it has been the awareness of potent, penetrating prayer amassing from every corner of the globe. It’s the context for a great mobilization and with the mobilization, the restoration of the maturity, power and the gifts evidenced in the early Church. Of those gifts, I’d like to unwrap one that is often shrouded or put on back-burner, but represents ties to unlocking so many other gifts, not to speak of its power to fuel community. I’m speaking of generosity.

Generosity is one of those subtle things. You’ll miss its significance, if not alert and paying attention. Or ignore its importance maybe because it can seem like a duty or be hindered by the subtleties of materialism. But it’s a glue that adheres with an influence that bleeds into so many other spiritual dimensions for both individuals and the community.

To better understand the gift of generosity, we need a better grasp of “righteousness.” One of the more profound insights from the Jewish roots to the faith comes from the Hebrew translation of the word “righteousness.’ “The Hebrew word is tz’dakah. Correctly translated, tz’dakah actually means righteous charity or charitable righteousness. It is a community dynamic with the implication that on the first order of things that righteousness is derived from helping others, especially the less fortunate. Around the world, synagogues contain a “tz’dakah” offering box, a proactive means of generosity for the less fortunate.

The book of Deuteronomy warns against being stingy and taking responsibility in looking out for and helping those who may have a need. The principle of gleaning for example. When harvesting crops, gleaning insures that something is left for the less fortunate, who follow the harvester to “glean” for themselves.

Long before the Torah was given, Abram returned from his rescue of Lot and the defeat of Chedorlaomer …. and with the blessing of the high priest Melkizadek in defeating his enemies, Abram gave him a tenth of the spoils. So generosity has a direct tie to sharing from increase, from God’s blessing with His hand upon us.

Proverbs punctuates the responsibility and benefits in business between righteousness and generosity.
“The lips of the righteous feed many. The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” Proverbs 10: 21-22.

Jesus summed up these truths when He admonished us to: “Give and it will be given unto you; good measure, pressed down and shaken over.” And then Paul’s wisdom: “As you sow, so shall you reap.”

Reflecting the Fruits of the Spirit
God’s character is to create and bring multiplication, but his nature is in giving. In seeking His blessing, is it not his benevolence and generosity? In being reflectors of God, who are made in His image, the character of the godly takes on dimensions or fruits of His nature defined by Paul to the Galatians: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Church tradition identifies 12 fruits of the spirit, incorporating generosity and charity into the 9 that Paul described. So, in the same way that the character of the godly is shaped and defined by tz’dakah, that is charitable righteousness, it reflects the impact in attitude and behavior that these fruits of the Spirit have on them.

The Deeper Dimensions of the Gifts
Yet, with these fruits comes deeper dimensions, or what Paul defines as specific gifts that shape the personality and motivations of the individual believer in the way they think, behave and relate to others. These are outlined in 1 Corinthians 12:28: servers, prophetic, givers, teachers, exhorters, mercy and leaders. In most cases, a believer will have a dominant gift and a secondary one. In some cases, the dominant gift can be a balanced combination of two. How each operates is described on my web-site at www.strategic-initiatives.org/spiritual=gifts.

The Gift of Giving
In taking a closer look at the stewardship of generosity, it is insightful to begin by examining the gift of the Spirit of the Giver. Givers are ones who sense God’s heart where needs are concerned. Combined with their other gifts, Givers break the mold of the status quo. They tend toward being creative or leaders and sometimes both; which ties into their response to fixing situations that are due to the lack of resources. Givers can be very effective entrepreneurs and more frequently are. In many instances, they will take great joy in giving without the need for credit. Yet in others, simple appreciation is important to them.

Givers represent the gold-standard in terms of generosity within the community. Incorporated in the gift of giving is a high-level of faith and trust in God. But with their level of faith will be risk, but risk calculated with wisdom.
“The generous soul will be made rich and he waters will himself be watered.” Prov 10:25

Those with a genuine gift of giving are almost always recognized by the higher ratios of their income that they give. They more typically prove to be good planners, as they envision things as they potentially could be. Without drawing attention to themselves, they are strongly inclined in assuming responsibility.

The Gift Activated by Individuals
With the gift of giving or generosity, comes an added dimension. It taps into the very heart of God to create and bring increase. Because of that, simultaneously, it represents something of a trigger in terms of its activation of the nature of God for the individual giver. The Psalmist captures this means of activating God’s nature with the words: “With the faithful, You will show Yourself faithful. With the blameless man, You will show Yourself blameless. With the pure, You will show Yourself pure. With the devious, You will show Yourself shrewd. For you will save the humble people, but bring down haughty looks. For You will light my lamp, the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.” Ps 18:25-28

The Parallel When the Fruit Flows in Community
So it can be, and far more, when the fruit and stewardship of generosity is operating strongly within the community.

In much the same way that we need a more complete grasp of the word “righteousness,” so we also need a broader mind-set regarding our part in and response to community. Indeed it begins and includes our interactions and responsibilities with our local congregation.

Activating Community Identity
But the reality is that the community of the household of faith is a cultural factor that should define and support not only our faith, but our character, priorities and prayer-focus. It is a cultural factor that in today’s world carries global ramifications. It should be the defining factor in terms of our identity, along with an overriding influence in our life-purpose. It should be the defining factor in those we choose as our inner circle.

With those thoughts in mind, let us reach for the standard expressed in Hebrews:
“Therefore we must give more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.” Hebrews 2:1

The Litmus Test of Community Maturity
The stewardship of generosity within the community represents a strong litmus test of its spiritual maturity. While many are guided by the rigors of religious practices, the prophet Isaiah, called for a higher standard.

In the same manner, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees (Matt 23:23) for their fetish in following the rules, while missing their intent, using as an example their adherence to the tithe while totally missing the more important matters of justice, mercy and faithfulness.

Isaiah’s higher standard in the 58th chapter taps this same truth. It captures what can move the heart of God when the tz’daka is exercised in the community. He begins with a rebuke targeting leaders who set the standard in the community, those engaging in religious practices to curry God’s favor, while being blind to their intent …. for example, in exploiting their hired labor; for their inclination for strife and debate.

He reveals that to make your voice heard on High begins with humility. It requires getting beyond the blind spots to address loosing the bonds of wickedness, undoing the heavy burdens, breaking every yoke and letting the oppressed go free.

It will involve sharing your bread with the hungry, reaching out to the hungry, poor and afflicted; clothing the naked and not hiding yourself from your own flesh and blood. It is ridding yourself of pointing the finger in scorn and bad-mouthing. In other words, it gives focus to taking on the benevolence of God in being a genuine blessing by reaching out as a giver.

The response from on High in doing so is dramatic. It not only addresses untenable circumstances …. “then your light will dawn in the darkness and the darkness will be as noonday” …. but it incorporates an unusual ability, through community that will bear on how you are recognized as a people …. “You shall build tho old waste places, raising the foundations of many generations. You will be called the repairers of the breach, the restorers of streets to dwell in.”

In short, Isaiah’s admonition was to grasp God’s perspective and respond as He would …. with compassion, holiness and respect for one another and the sacredness of His Sabbath.

Community Stewardship and Generosity
In a world divided, deceived and confused, there exists those who are searching for a people who demonstrate the reality of God in their midst. This demonstration of God manifests strongly through community stewardship. Stewardship operates on both an individual and a community-level. It employs three key elements: giving, managing and bringing increase. Recognizing God as your source, in simple terms it begins with the giving or sowing of your seed, then managing its growth, to then again in faith looking to God to bring the increase …. giving, managing and bringing increase.

So it has been, that the biblical strategy to affliction, oppression and poverty is the community standard of righteous charity, tz’dakah combined with small business development. Jewish tradition holds that the highest form of tz’dakah is to help someone start a business. There are Jewish communities in Israel with such networks of tz’dakah that virtually no one is homeless or hungry.

Such is the stewardship of generosity, that can be found within community that the world seeks.

On an even higher scale, Joseph the Patriarch was a forerunner of recovery when the household of faith had become spiritually blinded from the standard of tz’dakah and the mantle of his people to the world. Using the resources entrusted to him, Joseph became the gifted administrator of one of the biggest series of tz’dakah benevolence and rescues outlined in Scripture.

In passing into this current season, as the community of the household of faith progresses into the place of maturity, the recovery of this dynamic of tz’dakah and the stewardship of giving will be in great evidence as leaders set the example and the gates open for a free-flow of the Spirit’s power. Not unlike the days of the early Church, it will deeply penetrate and impact cultures around the earth. There was a reason the prophet Zecharish envisioned a time when ten men would plead with a Jew to take them with him because they had seen God operating in his midst.

Paralleling the spiritual backlash experienced by the early Church, all this will be within the context of the disruptions, turmoil and conflict described by Daniel, Jesus and John the Revelator. Yet,at the forefront of this movement will be modern-day Josephs and Daniels restoring community standards and influencing state-level leaders in this mobilization of resources. Of significance in this great awakening will be the response and alliances of key global segments of this movement with Israel. Bearing the fulfillment of Isaiah 60 with the abundance of the seas and the wealth of the Gentiles being directed to the Light manifesting in the Land of Promise.

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Morris Ruddick has been a forerunner of the Joseph-calling and God’s economy message, being an international voice for the higher dimensions of spiritual game-changers and intercessors since the mid-90s. As founder of Global Initiatives Foundation, the Strategic Intercession Global Network [SIGN] and designer of the God’s Economy Entrepreneurial Equippers Program and the Jewish Business Secrets YouTube series, Mr. Ruddick’s messages equip leaders and economic community builders with strategy where God’s light is dim in diverse regions around the globe.

He is author of “The Joseph-Daniel Calling;” “Gods Economy, Israel and the Nations;” “The Heart of a King;” “Something More;” “Righteous Power in a Corrupt World;” “Leadership by Anointing;” and “Mantle of Fire,” which address the mobilization of business and governmental leaders with destinies to impact their communities. They are available in print and e-versions from www.Amazon.com, www.apple.com/ibooks and www.BarnesandNoble.com.