Lives Laid Down
Now Think On This
Steve Martin
“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (1 John 3:16-17 NKJV)
After recently gotten back from Israel, the Land which the Lord has prophetically brought His chosen people back to, I have been contemplating on some of what I experienced. Seeing, hearing, feeling and touching what He has done there is simply miraculous. The Jews truly are becoming a light to the nations, as He said He would make them.
"I am God. I have called you to live right and well.
I have taken responsibility for you, kept you safe.
I have set you among my people to bind them to me,
and provided you as a lighthouse to the nations,
To make a start at bringing people into the open, into light:
opening blind eyes,
releasing prisoners from dungeons,
emptying the dark prisons.”
(Isaiah 42:6-7 THE MESSAGE)
One amazing sight that touched me over and over again was to see in action the mothers of Israel raising their children. Now I am not saying this just because we are close to Mother’s Day here in the USA. I am writing this because many have lost something when it comes to family, and need encouragement to walk in the truth.
By the mercy and grace of God over these many centuries, the Jewish people have kept, and continue to keep, what the Lord had intended from the beginning. When He created and ordained husbands and wives, to be fathers and mothers, He knew only the existence of love and sacrificial life, as lives laid down, would be the bedrock to have families flourish, and raise children unto Him.
One family I spent time with there in the Jerusalem area was celebrating their child’s first birthday. Now that is a great thing for those of us who have had a child, or a grandchild, and have done that. The first birthday is always really special.
But when it is the ninth child that has come out of the marriage covenant of man and woman, that simply is God. Fulfilling the word, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, " Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it…” (Genesis 1:27-28 NASU) is the very first commandment given to mankind.
Mother of nine in Israel, with birthday child on lap
In much of today’s society we have almost reached the point where we scorn those who, as man and woman, do get married, have children, and spend a great portion of their lives raising them. Day in and day out, by so often laying down their own wants, pleasures and pursuits, these who do as the Lord has directed, are giving themselves to their children. Even more so, seeing these Jewish mothers giving so much of themselves by raising their children, makes one again thank God that there are still ones fulfilling His purpose and plan, walking them out in reality, within families.
Women who choose to do this – biblically marrying and having children, raising them with all they have - are to be the most highly commended among mankind.
My own mother, Lila Martin Parker, now reaching an age a bit beyond 80, still gives of herself for her eight children that she and Dad raised, and the many, many grandchildren that followed. Over those decades, much sacrifice, much heart, soul and body were totally given to do this marvelous life act – to give out so her children and their children could receive.
Louis and Lila Martin family 1973
And my own good wife Laurie, herself the mother of four, lives daily to bless her children ongoing. And now also, with her seven grandchildren, is seeing part of her life’s generational reward come through them.
Steve and Laurie Martin Family in 2013 (We need an updated one, as Levi is not present yet!)
Indeed, let us honor and bless all mothers, these admirably women of God, who are truly walking out His divine will. I so do myself.
Now think on this,
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People, Inc.
P.S. And may the good Lord bless my daughters Hannah and Christen as they raise their children, and daughter-in-law Chelsie with her four!
P.S.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 Year of our Lord 05.11.17 - #281 – “Lives Laid Down” – Thursday, 4:15 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
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