Now Think On This
Steve Martin
“I can't impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple.
You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food — catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you — keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant.” (2 Timothy 4:1-5, The MESSAGE)
Back in the day, 1987 exactly, a New Covenant Christian Church softball team was assembled to play in a championship tournament in Mobile, Alabama. “The best of the best” I believe were chosen to compete, from among the 14 men’s teams our church had that summer in our own league in East Lansing, Michigan. It was an honor and joy to be part of that team.
Our chosen theme song was “Eye of the Tiger”, released in 1982 by Survivor. How appropriate. The song had won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal,People's Choice Award for Favorite New Song. It was made famous in one of the seven Rocky Balboa movies, Rocky III, of that same year, 1982.
As it had inspired Rocky to perform to the utmost, it worked for us too. We won the tournament. (Of course we had to play all of the weekend games to the final championship battle to do so.)
Each member of the team had serious intensity. Each had the goal to win, to defeat the other good competing teams on the ball field, using the gifts and talent each one of us possessed. What a team we had!
One dictionary definition of intensity is “the measurable amount of a property, such as force, brightness, or a magnetic field.” I like the word “brightness”. As in the natural, we too as a spiritual people, like a laser beam, are called to be intense, to be bright as the Son we follow.
Paul instructed Timothy, as quoted above, to “proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit.” That is the same message given to each of us who call upon the Name of the Lord Jesus – to proclaim His Gospel, the Good News, with intensity, even as we see the days getting darker. We are the ones who have now been called upon to be the watchmen and declare there is a bright, intense light that others can follow. It is Yeshua, Jesus, the Light of the World. In Him only is found the Way, the Truth and the Life.
I like how THE MESSAGE version of the Bible reads, “And now I want each of you to extend that same intensity toward a full-bodied hope, and keep at it till the finish. Don't drag your feet. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them.” (Hebrews 6:11-12)
As in any “game of life”, the competing teams must play with intensity if they are to win. We who say we are Christians also need to compete in the daily battles, the ultimate spiritual war that we are in, whether we like it or not.
The evil opposing empire, a true reality, has an enemy that himself fights every hour, seeking to steal, destroy and kill humans in the nations. You and I both see it happening before our eyes. Our God, the King of kings and Lord of lords, has chosen us to abide in Him and His Holy Spirit, to stand strong against these forces of evil. We must choose to, indeed make the decision, to be a part of His army, and fight back. It is a real war. We can’t sit idly by and do nothing.
We are to fight until the finish. With committed faith, empowered hope, and the intense love of our Father, we must take our place, and do it. The world needs us now. Yeshua has given us the strength and fire in our hearts to be His hands, feet and mouth on this planet.
“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:11-12, NKJV)
We must demonstrate the faith of those who have gone before us, who through trials, temptations, sword, starvation, persecution and more stood strong until the end. The nations are seeking a savior. Those of us who know who that is, Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, must be the ones to give our lives for His purposes and plans.
With immense intensity and eternal love in our hearts, the Spirit of the Living God of Israel will use us to draw others unto Him. Be willing to be one such a vessel.
We are in a war. We must rise to the occasion and do that which we have been called to do.
"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." (Revelation 22:12-13 NASU)
So think on this, in the love of Jesus,
Steve 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
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Now Think On This - In the New Year of our Lord 01.16.16 - #233 –“Intensity” – Saturday at 7:30 am
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
LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE FEATURED BOOK
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Purchase here: End of Days by Steve Martin
My heart yearns for the glory of the Lord Jesus to be revealed in the earth, touching the hearts and souls of men, women and children in each and every nation. As we see the days become darker, we believe that the Lord God of Israel will show Himself strong, and prove that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, as He says He is.
I wrote this book for you who also long to walk in strong faith, courage and commitment to the end, for whatever the Lord has planned and purposed for you and I. Together, as the Body of Christ, and the glorious Bride that we will become, we will one day see His Kingdom come, His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
The Gospel, the Good News of salvation, will be declared, and that which is just and good will for all eternity overcome the evil one. I sincerely believe we are living in the end of days, as prophetic words have been rapidly fulfilled since the re-birth of Israel in 1948. Jesus Himself had said that when we see the fig tree budding, we know that the time is near.
This book, my 10th published in the last three years (all between 2013-2015) and before my 61st birthday, is very special to me. I sense it is something the Lord put on my heart to do several months ago, giving it that “urgency of getting it done and out there” feel as I wrote. Originally these chapters were Now Think On This messages. It was amazing to me how many were done in September and October of 2015 alone, as the Holy Spirit would speak a word or sentence to me, and I would write soon after. I am truly grateful for His impartation, and acknowledge Jesus (Yeshua), my Lord and Savior, above all.
The photos I have included in the book are primarily ones I took (exceptions noted), both to document history and to share another way the Lord also speaks to His Body. Capturing moments of the Holy Spirit action, especially in the two “fire” photos, were exciting. In both cases I wasn’t even aware of it until they were “developed”. I trust this book will both encourage you and cause you to re-commit yourself - to know the Lord’s will for your life, do all you can to allow Him to direct your steps, and be the light in these dark days we desperately need and have been called upon by the Lord to be.
I am with you, arm in arm! Ahava (love in Hebrew) and shalom (peace),
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People, Inc.
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