Now Think On This
Steve Martin
“As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” John 9:1-3, NASU)
Every once in a while the Lord chooses to demonstrate His Father’s heart, His very precious love, in a very special way. Though some would consider this a mistake, and others might look upon it as being imperfect, He reveals a further, deeper, godly love. We too must have this in our hearts.
A special needs kid actually shows us the special love of God.
Maybe like me, when your child was birthed (those who have children), one of the first things you wanted to see is if they had ten fingers and ten toes. Before our modern medical devices such as sonograms, we didn’t even know if an unborn child was a male or female. So the natural thing was to look. I remember doing just that, to make sure each one was “perfect”, with no defects or being odd in any way. At least as I then understood things.
It has always been a part of human culture to make these judgments, even at the moment of birth, whether someone was good or bad. We would then act accordingly. In far too many cases, if the child had a defect, or abnormality, they were considered not worthy of life. Some ungodly cultures even destroy life if not to their standards. Even in the “modern world”, these times we now live in, knowing ahead of time as we do the growth and development of the unborn, abortion is considered a viable option, the “human” thing to do, if an abnormality or unwanted condition is present. We want to apply our so called wise wisdom - “Save the suffering, for the child and the parents or caretaker.”
How far we have fallen from the heart of God.
Even in other matters about us - if an object has a small blemish, we toss it out. If there is some peculiar look about it, and it doesn’t fit the generally accepted mold, our far too often response is to typically reject, remove or replace. We tend to not want anything out of the ordinary around us.
When Jesus was asked who sinned, his parents or the one born blind, He responded, as written above, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:3)
Our thinking would be, “Why would the Lord have allowed this in the first place? Doesn’t He make all things good?” Of course the Lord does. And He also demonstrates His love in ways we don’t fully understand.
I am now believing that what we for so long considered “good”, having no spot or wrinkle, isn’t quite the way He has seen it, in His wisdom and understanding. The Perfect Lamb, Jesus our Messiah, Yeshua HaMashiach was the only one without spot or wrinkle. All the rest of us have them. And yet, the Lord demonstrates continually His perfect love for us, and His creation, very simply and quite profoundly, in the very acts He daily shows, with His perfect love for all things. And people.
Special needs kids, as we have now labeled them, actually show us the perfect love of God. Given the fact that He Himself has blessed us with them, by showing His love for what has been called for too long “imperfect”, clearly reveals a deeper aspect of the love our Lord has for His creation.
My respect for those who have special needs kids is immense. I can appreciate the extra care, time and outpouring of love it takes in raising a child with abilities not present in some areas of their life. I also understand those special demonstrations of the Father’s love that He has given to them. As for their parents and family members, I believe He gives extra grace for the care needed.
Love for His people, which come in all shapes, sizes and sectors of life, must go beyond that for only the “lovely and the whole” as we would consider them. His love for all creation takes special love, which He will give to us, for them, as we abide in Him.
Now 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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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.
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Now Think On This - In the New Year of our Lord 01.10.15 - #231 –“Special Needs. Special Love” – Sunday at 7:30apm
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
In 2010 the Lord God of Israel, my Savior Jesus Christ (Yeshua HaMashiach), led me to start the ministry we call Love For His People. Its primary purpose is to share the love of the Lord with the nation of Israel, Jews around the world, and the people in all the nations as we can. For that end, through social media, writing and distributing books, and in person ministry, we are seeing the love of Jesus spread. We are grateful that He has given us much love in order to do just that.
We often hear the word “love” spoken out loud, and written about, in many ways. It has contrasting meanings to the wide range of people that exist, as it is expressed in different methods through people. When it has all been said and done, there is an eternal love that will stand the test of fire. Because the biblical expression of love, laying down one’s life for his friends, has eternal value, this love from God the Father to His creation is the type that I most seek after and try to share.
LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE FEATURED BOOK
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Buy here: Arms of Love by Steve Martin
In 2010 the Lord God of Israel, my Savior Jesus Christ (Yeshua HaMashiach), led me to start the ministry we call Love For His People. Its primary purpose is to share the love of the Lord with the nation of Israel, Jews around the world, and the people in all the nations as we can. For that end, through social media, writing and distributing books, and in person ministry, we are seeing the love of Jesus spread. We are grateful that He has given us much love in order to do just that.
We often hear the word “love” spoken out loud, and written about, in many ways. It has contrasting meanings to the wide range of people that exist, as it is expressed in different methods through people. When it has all been said and done, there is an eternal love that will stand the test of fire. Because the biblical expression of love, laying down one’s life for his friends, has eternal value, this love from God the Father to His creation is the type that I most seek after and try to share.
In these short chapters of Arms of Love, which is also the title of a song Laurie and I sang while leading various church worship meetings, and as the lead singers in our Ahava Love Band, I share some aspects of how I believe the Bible speaks of love. For you who are about to read this, my prayer is that your heart will be enlarged with His, and you too will become one, even more, to give love for His people, both Jew and Gentile, both saved and unsaved.
I hope that as you read these chapters, you will become more inspired to spend time with the Lord, experience His heart of love, and share it with our fellow man. The world needs to know the love of God.
Steve Martin
Charlotte, NC
Jan. 2016
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