Sunday, November 29, 2015

I Love BOTH Hanukkah AND Christmas - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

I Love BOTH Hanukkah AND Christmas

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“Yeshua spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light which gives life.” (John 8:12, Complete Jewish Bible)

I love both Hanukkah AND Christmas!

Only in the past few years have I really understood the Feast of Hanukkah (Chanukah is another spelling in Hebrew), also known as the Festival of Lights, or Feast of Dedication. Having been raised a Christian, I considered it a Jewish celebration, for Jews only. After all, that was in the Old Testament, right? That part of the Bible is only the Jewish part of the Bible, the Old Covenant, isn’t it?

But then I had my eyes opened and my spirit enlightened, through an understanding of our Jewish roots as believers. Now knowing that Jesus was born in a Jewish family (His Hebrew name is Yeshua), the twelve Jewish apostles were Jewish, and the Bible was completely written by Jews (with only one or two Scriptural books the exception, written by Gentiles), I had a change of heart. I could celebrate Hanukkah too, just as my Messiah Yeshua did!

“Then came Hanukkah in Yerushalayim. It was winter, and Yeshua was walking around inside the Temple area, in Shlomo’s Colonnade.” (John 10:22-23, Complete Jewish Bible)

Or if you prefer the NKJV, “Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch.”

There are several Messianic Jewish books and websites that completely give further understanding to this winter feast, so I won’t be trying to do that here. But just knowing that the Lord miraculously provided 8 days of oil to burn the Hanukkiah (the 9 candle stick menorah), when they only had one day’s supply of oil to begin with, shows us the provision that He gives as we trust in Him.

We can also visibly see that the main candle, called the server, is the one that each night lights the others. It fully represents the Servant Jesus Himself, Who gives us the light to pass on. I can understand that with my Gentile mind.

We actually have several Hanukkah menorahs in our home. I like our David’s Harp one the best.

Christmas is such a joyous part of the season. Though I believe Yeshua (Jesus) was actually born during the Feast of Tabernacles in the fall, I really enjoy the Christmas songs on the radio, the Christmas tree in our house, the welcoming wreath on the front door, and the fun and love shared in the giving of presents to each other. In our home, Christmas above all represents the Light of the World, Jesus Christ, who lives each day of the year as our Savior and Lord.

If the world chooses to celebrate along with us, let it be so! Let them sing “O Come O Come Emmanuel” on the secular radio station, along with “O Holy Night”. May they greet one another joyfully with “Merry Christmas”, being Christ (Christos, or Messiah) is the most joyous (merriest) one of all!

I love it when our small town of Pineville, North Carolina decorates the city streets with heavenly angels on the light poles, proclaiming the Good News with trumpets (shofars!); the silver bells hanging down, swinging in the breeze while ringing out His birth; the large Scotch pine Christmas tree, lighting up the town square, evergreen with His life and the colorful lights testifying of His love for diversity. After all, He has created so many of us, with such creativity and our different nationalities - the most multi-color that these lights represent well!

Christmas at the Martins

And of course there are the beautifully wrapped presents, delighting our grandkids, being taught how the Wise Men blessed their Savior too with good gifts, signifying their adoration and worship.

In both Hanukkah AND Christmas, Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, is revealed as the Light of the World in both!

Celebrate this exciting season of love! May both Jew and Gentile understand that Hanukkah AND Christmas can be shared in our One New Man love. I for one certainly have no problem with that, and give thanks to my Lord for both.

Happy Hanukkah AND Merry Christmas, from our house to yours.

“And God bless us, everyone!”

May your days be filled with peace, joy and love.

Happy Hanukkah AND Merry Christmas!

Our ministry Christmas card - 2015

The Martin Hanukkiah fully lit in past celebration.

We love you,

Steve & Laurie Martin

Love For His People, Inc.

P.S. I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. They might need it. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

We sure could use your help to bless the families we do in Israel, India, Pakistan, Vietnam and the hurting ones here in the USA. Please give out of the abundance you have been given.

In May, 2016, my wife Laurie and I will be traveling to Israel to spend time with our friends. We support them in word and deed. We have our plane tickets in hand. We love Israel.

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.

If these messages minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families we know in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. 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.)

Please share Now Think On This with your friends.

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Now Think On This (In the year of our Lord 11.29.15 ) #215 - “I Love Hanukkah AND Christmas” – Sunday at 4:30 pm in Charlotte, NC.

All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This

Again, I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

There Really Is Power in the Name of Jesus - KATHY DEGRAW CHARISMA NEWS

Would you call upon the name of Jesus if placed in a life-or-death situation? (iStock photo )

There Really Is Power in the Name of Jesus

I always believed if I ever came upon in a situation where danger was imminent, I would shout out the name of Jesus to save my life. But when actually confronted with such a situation would I—could I—actually do it?

My question was, "Would I remember to do it?" When confronted with immediate danger, you don't have time to pray. That may sound different coming from a Christian, but it is truth! God's Word tells us to, "Speak to our mountain," (Matt. 21:21) and "Death and life are in the power of the tongue," (Prov. 18:21).

When we study God's Word, it teaches us about the spoken word of God. It talks about what we, "say." It is the words we speak out that are powerful! The strongest word we can possibly speak out is the name of Jesus. One word. One name—the name of our Lord and Savior.

In Proverbs 18:10, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

The name of Jesus saves! Not just as our deliverer and redeemer, but as our protector (Ps. 91). As I have loved studying from the Complete Jewish Bible (CJB), I read that translation and love it for this verse. Proverbs 18:10 in the CJB reads, "The name of Adonai is a strong tower; a righteous person runs to it and is raised high [above danger]."

The name of Jesus does raise us high above danger when we call out His name! I have read Destined for Dominion, a book on power and authority. It speaks of our power and authority in the name of Jesus.

In the past, I have and I am sure some of you have heard people calling on the name of Jesus as a rapist was about to attack them, as a child was about to get in an accident, as a robber was approaching them and other times where violent attacks, crimes or accidents were attempting to invade their lives. But when confronted with such a situation would you remember or act on the name of Jesus, or would you freeze up and forget what to do?

The name of Jesus heals, sets free, saves, delivers and much more. The name of Jesus can cast out a demon. It can take an evil spirit that has invaded someone's life and by the name of Jesus that spirit has to disembody the person! That is a miracle to be able to cast out a demon of a person. That is the power of Jesus' name. The power of His name creates miracles.

As we were driving in treacherous road conditions on the way to a ministry trip in Nebraska, we found ourselves in unfavorable road conditions. My friend Carolyn (50) and I (46), at the time, had never driven in such perilous conditions. As we were driving on snow and ice with snow continually coming down and poor visibility, all of a sudden a semi-trailer began to jackknife right in front of us. With the road conditions, slamming on brakes was not an option. As we saw this semi turning sideways on the highway and spreading out over all 3 lanes, we did not know if we would be able to stop in time and miss hitting him. We knew we were in trouble and started shouting out the name of Jesus.

We didn't pray! We didn't have time to pray, "Oh Father please save us, come to your children and so on" I am not saying there is anything wrong with praying. I do pray daily. But in this case, we simply did not have time. We had time to call on the name of Jesus, like a strong tower, to run into his righteousness and save us! Carolyn, decreed out the words, "God protect us."

There was a parked police car on the side of the highway and the semi headed directly for the driver door with the police officer in his car. All of a sudden I called out, "I send angels to that police car right now, in the name of Jesus" and I kept speaking out the name of Jesus into the atmosphere.

As those angels went forth and the name of Jesus was being released into the atmosphere, suddenly we saw something that amazed us. The semi, which was partially jackknifed and directly in front of us, straightened out and missed the police car 2 feet away from it. Carolyn maintained control of the van while each vehicle—ours, the semi and the police car—received no damage. No one even stopped.

The name of Jesus lifted us high above danger! Praise God!

I believe I was able to call out the name of Jesus in that incident because I knew the power of Jesus' name. I had heard stories and testimonies of the power of His name. I had read books on my identity in Christ and, when He died and descended to hell for me and then on the third day ascended into heaven, He transferred His power of attorney to me. That's right. His Word says in Luke 10:19, "Look, I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. And nothing shall by any means hurt you."

He has given me power and authority. He has given you power and authority. We have to know the power and authority we have been given in His name. Like a person who awards power of attorney to another person to make decisions and act on his behalf, Jesus Christ has given us power of attorney and power and authority to operate in His name.

Knowing the name of Jesus, the power and authority it holds and how we are to use it comes from knowing our identity in Christ. We must know our identity in Christ. You must know who you are in Christ, that you are valuable, that you are of the kingdom, that you are from a world that cannot be shaken. In Acts 2:25, it says, "For David says concerning Him: 'I foresaw the Lord always before me, for He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.'" We must know the name and power of Jesus.

We must know our authority. There will be times in our life when we will need to call on His name.

Kathy DeGraw is the founder of DeGraw Ministries. She is a prophetic deliverance minister who is passionate about releasing the love and power of God. She travels hosting conferences, teaching schools and evangelistic love tours. Kathy enjoys writing and is the author of several books that educate, empower and equip people, including Spiritual Warfare Declarations and Flesh, Satan or God-Who Are You Hearing From? To learn more about her ministry visit degrawministries.org.

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Tears Turn to Joy ✡ "God Will Comfort Zion" - JERUSALEM365

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Is Israel a Nation or a Person? | Brian Hennessy ISRAEL TODAY

Is Israel a Nation or a Person?

Sunday, November 29, 2015 | Brian Hennessy ISRAEL TODAY

Most Bible believers can tell you Israel is both the name of a person and a nation. But what most don’t realize is that the term ‘Israel’ can refer to seven different entities in the Bible! And if we don’t know which ‘Israel’ is in play we’ll become hopelessly confused. Throw in the state of Israel today and it gets even more complicated. So let me try and sort them out as best I can.

In general, the seven ‘Israels’ found in the Bible will always fall into one of three categories: a person, a nation, or part of a nation.

As a person, Israel would be Jacob, the father of the twelve tribes that eventually became the nation that bore his name. God had changed his name from Jacob to Israel, which loosely means “he who prevails with God and overcomes,” after he survived a wrestling match with the Angel of the Lord (Gen. 35:10). However, Israel as a person can also be Yeshua, for he is the “seed” who inherits all the promises (Gal. 3:16).

As a nation, Israel would be the whole nation of twelve tribes.

But where it gets tricky is when Israel stands for just part of the nation, because there are four ways to understand a partial Israel.

First, it could be the name of the ten-tribe kingdom that formed after Solomon’s united nation split into the two kingdoms of Israel in the north and Judah in the south.

Secondly, it could be referring to the two-tribe southern kingdom of Judah which took sole possession of the title after the northern kingdom was exiled among the nations. The descendants of Judah became known as “the Jews” after they were deported to Babylon. When they returned to the land they became the Israel we encounter in the New Testament. It is mostly their descendants who’ve returned again to establish today’s Jewish state.

Thirdly, ‘Israel in part’ can be understood as the Israel within Israel. This Israel represents just the chosen descendants (like Jacob), who Paul distinguished in Romans 9 from those physical offspring who were not chosen (like Esau).

Finally, Paul calls the body of Messiah “the Israel of God” (Gal. 6:16), which shows the ecclesia is the continuation of chosen Israel, but now under the New Covenant. This verse, along with Revelation 7:4, are the only two times in the NT (out of 79 references to Israel) where the followers of Yeshua are clearly addressed as Israel. I think the reason God kept references to the ecclesia being Israel to a minimum was He didn’t want us to think we had replaced the Jewish nation. Which, as we know, the institutional church tried to do anyway.

The fact is, the Jews retained sole possession to the title ‘Israel’ even though they rejected Yeshua as Messiah. Didn’t Paul tell us “a partial hardening has happened to Israel [meaning the Jewish people], until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in?” (Rom. 11:25). However, in the next sentence he informs us that when all the “Gentiles” come in, that “all Israel will be saved.” Here the name “Israel’ has been expanded to mean the whole nation – not just the Jews!

I believe there is a day coming, and coming soon, when all the confusion over who or what is Israel will suddenly disappear. The whole world will see the Israel of God revealed in glory as both one nation and one person in Messiah!

Brian Hennessy is the author of Valley of the Steeples, available at:ketchpublishing/BrianHennessyBooks.htm

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Saturday, November 28, 2015

Mighty Oaks of Righteousness - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Mighty Oaks of Righteousness

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season

and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.” (Psalm 1:3, NASU)

One of the awesome sights in God’s creation, in the colorful northern hemisphere fall season, is the mighty oak tree, with its beautiful golden brown, orange and deep red foliage. Especially the one that is standing tall, with over 50 years of branches, leaves, acorns, and a root system below, typically larger than the tree you actually see above ground.

Standing tall, providing much for many, the mighty oak tree is one that will inspire joy for the human spirit. A grateful soul will acknowledge the Lord’s goodness shone about us.

I found this interesting bit of documentation on these displays of the Lord’s glory, that of oak trees.

Oak trees can live 200 or more years. The largest oak tree on record was in Maryland's eastern shore in the U.S.A. It is believed to be more than 400 years old, and it measures 32 feet in circumference. It is 105 feet tall with a crown spread of 158 feet till high winds blew it over a few years ago.

There is one in Lewisburg, Mandeville, Louisiana reputed to be 37 feet and 2 inches in circumference. It is estimated that it is more than 1,000 years old!

Then we have the major oak at Sherwood Forest, Nottingham in the UK. It is the actual tree Robin Hood is said to have hidden in while escaping the Sheriff of Nottingham if you have heard the legend. It is estimated to be 10000 year old. (Yahoo! Answers)

If I was to be a tree, I would want to be an oak. Being it is a very hard wood species, it is great for making a home beautiful, used for living room flooring and wall/ceiling trim. During the cold winter season, the blaze of oak logs in a roaring fireplace delights one’s sight and heart.

The oak, having many varieties, will stand strong against tough winds that may come against it, as it towers over the landscape, giving life to birds nesting its branches, and cool shade to livestock grazing beneath.

Because it lives a long time, it usually takes at least 20 years to grow to maturity. It is not an overnight sensation. Nor is it here one year and gone another. The mighty oak is one you can count on to be there, when you need it to be there.

In Isaiah 61, the Lord speaks of those who will be called oaks of righteousness, because of the character they possess within, and the strength given to them by the Lord God of Israel. They will be the ones planted by the Lord Himself. They will be the one glorify His Great Name.

These oaks of righteousness will rebuild the ancient ruins, raise up the devastations all about, and repair ruined cities. Much of what has been desolated after generations of lies and unrighteousness will be part of their restorative mission. You can believe that those of the oak mindset will be the ones many will look to in and during times of trouble that are coming upon the earth, especially in these end of days.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.

So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins, they will raise up the former devastations; and they will repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations. Strangers will stand and pasture your flocks, and foreigners will be your farmers and your vinedressers. But you will be called the priests of the Lord; you will be spoken of as ministers of our God. You will eat the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.

Instead of your shame you will have a double portion, and instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion. Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land, everlasting joy will be theirs.

For I, the Lord, love justice, I hate robbery in the burnt offering; and I will faithfully give them their recompense and make an everlasting covenant with them.

Then their offspring will be known among the nations, and their descendants in the midst of the peoples. All who see them will recognize them because they are the offspring whom the Lord has blessed.

I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes the things sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. (Isaiah 61, NASU)

Those who know the Lord, the Mighty One, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the great God of Israel, have been raised up to be His oaks of righteousness. We are ready, awaiting His command to go. For many of us, we have endured the decades of training, the painful years of character building, the rejection and ridicule that have brought others down.

We are now fully equipped with His spiritual gifts and weapons of war, knowing how to use them at the proper time, and with full skill and ability.

We have already withstood the gates of hell many times, the gale winds of deception blowing hard in the nations, and the rampant evil that seeks to overtake the generation following behind us.

We are now available to show them the way, side by side, together battling the demons of destruction and the hordes of evil.

The mighty oaks of righteousness, empowered with the awesome fire of the Holy Spirit, have been prepared. We can say, “Bring it on Lord. We are standing with You and will fight to the death, upholding the eternal Word you have placed in our hearts.”

We are among those who have believed the beginning words of His eternal written Word, and have read the end of the book.

We are ready!

Now think on this.

With the love of our Lord,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People, Inc.

P.S. I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. They might need it. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

We sure could use your help to bless the families we do in Israel, India, Pakistan, Vietnam and the hurting ones here in the USA. Please give out of the abundance you have been given.

In May, 2016, my wife Laurie and I will be traveling to Israel to spend time with our friends. We support them in word and deed. We have our plane tickets in hand. We love Israel.

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.

Contribution checks can be sent to:

Love For His People, Inc. P.O. Box414 Pineville, NC 28134

Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)

Please share Now Think On This with your friends.

Email: loveforhispeople@gmail.com

martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin and Love For His People

Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople

Blogs: Love For His People, Now Think On This

Full website: Love For His People

YouTube: Love For His People Inc.

Now Think On This #214 - “Mighty Oaks of Righteousness” - Saturday at 6:45 am in Charlotte, NC.

All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This

Again, I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

Friday, November 27, 2015

The Steve & Laurie Martin Family - 15 plus Levi THANKSGIVNG DAY

The Steve & Laurie Martin Family

- 15 plus Levi

Thanksgiving Day

Nov. 26, 2105

Charlotte, NC

Left to right, by rows:

Front Row: Jonathan & Hannah (Martin)Avalos (with Levi within), Laurie Martin holding Jack Blade, Payton Avalos, Jensen Martin

Back row: Andrew & Christen (Martin) Blade, Chelsie and Josh Martin, Dylan Joy Martin, Logan Martin, Daniel Martin, Ben Martin, Steve Martin