The Red Scarf - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

The Red Scarf

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

"…then how much more the blood of the Messiah, who, through the eternal Spirit, offered himself to God as a sacrifice without blemish, will purify our conscience from works that lead to death, so that we can serve the living God!” (Hebrews 9:14, Complete Jewish Bible)

When my Charleston sister Mary requested a photo I had taken in Ireland in May 2018, of her wearing a red scarf as we walked the Dublin city park, the Holy Spirit quickened me to write about the blood. The red blood that flowed from the Savior’s body. For us.

Walking with the red scarf.

The red blood that saves us from our sin.

Remember the Christian hymn (so ancient by some terms these days) we used to sing in church? “What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” (Robert Lowry (1826-1899 – See below for the full lyrics from 1876.)

How many still believe in the blood of Jesus? How many still believe in sin? If there is no sin, then why the big deal about the blood? Some would say there is no longer any need to preach about the blood of the Messiah, to teach about the necessity of His sacrificial death on the Roman cross, that rugged tree.

Does it matter what others would say about something they have dismissed, to do away with “sin”, “guilt”, “shame”, “forgiveness”? If there is no God, then it would not matter.

But because there is the One and True God, then it most certainly does. To use a now worn out cliché’ in another way, “Sin matters.”

To put this in simple terms, we needed a restoration, a redemption, a way to return to the Creator of all life, the One Who sets the rules. Because of sin committed back in the Garden of Eden (and yes, Adam and Eve really did exist) there became a separation from God the Father for all mankind. But down through the many centuries He patiently and consistently revealed, first to the Jews, and then the Gentiles, how to get that relationship restored.

There must be a cleansing from the wrong. There had to be Someone to become the Passover lamb, the one who knew no sin, to fulfill the requirement that the Holy God had properly put in place. Only the Son of God, Yeshua, met that established law, and only He could fulfill the prophetic promises of His coming with exactness. Only He could meet the requirements of perfection, to bring about the forgiveness of sin.

It was sin that removed us from God the Father, being His Holiness does not permit sin in His presence. It was the unblemished blood that could bring us back. Only the blood of the Messiah would meet that requirement. Without spot. Without blemish. The Perfect Lamb of God.

He was the substitution for us, to forever cover the sin that would have kept us from the eternal relationship God the Father so desires with us, His creation.

“And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.” (1 Peter 1:17-21, NKJV)

For those of us who believe, who have repented and received Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death on our behalf, in order for us to be restored to God the Father, for eternity we will give thanks.

For those who have yet to acknowledge that their sin has separated them from God, and can only be forgiven when they call on the Name of Yeshua (Jesus), may your heart be opened to the truth, and may you too receive the gift of eternal life that comes only through confessing and believing.

“…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:9-13, NKJV)

A new year lies ahead of us. It would be best if you walk with God, and let Him bring the restoration before you can begin to know what life is all about, including the plans and purposes He has for you.

As for the red scarf, may it be a reminder for all of us that His shed blood covers us, and allows us to have full relationship with God our Father, His Only Begotten Son, and Holy Spirit too.

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

P.S. Want an adventure walking on short adventures? Check this out: "Walk With Me" video series with Steve Martin.

Also, I hope you get my latest book, Adventures in Courage, out this November. Paperback or Kindle versions. My 19^th authored publication. (Yes, this is an advertisement!) Still time before Christmas! Buy here on Amazon: Adventures in Courage

If these messages have ministered to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $10-$50 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families in Israel whom we consistently help monthly through our humanitarian work. Your tax-deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

  

Secure, conveniently contributions can be done online now. Click here: DONATE 

(or use the DONATE buttons on the blog.)

Contribution checks can be sent to: 

Love For His People, Inc. 

P.O. Box 414   

Pineville, NC 28134

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

Please share Now Think On This with your friends on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, and LinkedIn. We appreciate your help.

Now Think On This #378 - in the year of our Lord 12.29.18 – “The Red Scarf” - Saturday, 6:30 am

NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD

1.    What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

o    Refrain:
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

2.    For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

3.    Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

4.    This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

5.    Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

6.    Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Robert Lowry, pub.1876 copyright status is Public Domain

Merry Christmas! Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, has come! And He will come again! - Steve & Laurie Martin

Merry Christmas! Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, 

has come! And He will come again! 

Steve & Laurie Martin

Love For His People ministry

Charlotte, North Carolina USA

Mary Had A Little Lamb - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Mary Had A Little Lamb

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NASU)

“The next day, Yochanan saw Yeshua coming toward him and said, “Look! God’s lamb! The one who is taking away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29, Complete Jewish Bible)

It is a bit fascinating how the Holy Spirit speaks to us. After finishing my morning reading of the Bible, with today’s Scripture being from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 21, He spoke to me, “Mary had a little lamb.” I thought, “Hmm. Now what is that all about? An old nursery rhyme from centuries ago? What are you saying to me, Lord?”

So I asked Him for further revelation. It became a bit clearer. Mary did have a little lamb.

Thinking that there was more to the story than what we think, from days gone by, I looked up the history of the song which we all learned as little kids. Here is what Wikepedia has to say.

“Mary Had A Little Lamb is a nursery rhyme first published by the Boston publishing firm Marsh, Capen & Lyon, as an original poem by Sarah Josepha Hale on May 24, 1830, and was inspired by an actual incident.

As a young girl, Mary Sawyer (later Mary Tyler) kept a pet lamb that she took to school one day at the suggestion of her brother. A commotion naturally ensued. Mary recalled: "Visiting school that morning was a young man by the name of John Roulstone, a nephew of the Reverend Lemuel Capen, who was then settled in Sterling. It was the custom then for students to prepare for college with ministers, and for this purpose Roulstone was studying with his uncle.

The young man was very much pleased with the incident of the lamb; and the next day he rode across the fields on horseback to the little old schoolhouse and handed me a slip of paper which had written upon it the three original stanzas of the poem..."

There are two competing theories on the origin of this poem. One holds that Roulstone wrote the first four lines and that the final twelve lines, less childlike than the first, were composed by Sarah Josepha Hale; the other is that Hale was responsible for the entire poem.

In the 1830s, Lowell Mason set the nursery rhyme Mary Had A Little Lamb, originally written by to a melody adding repetition in the verses:

Mary had a little lamb,

His fleece was white as snow,
And everywhere that Mary went,
The lamb was sure to go.

He followed her to school one day,
Which was against the rule,
It made the children laugh and play
To see a lamb at school.

And so the teacher turned it out,

But still it lingered near,
And waited patiently about,
Till Mary did appear.

"Why does the lamb love Mary so?"
The eager children cry.
"Why, Mary loves the lamb, you know."
The teacher did reply.^”

As I further pursued Holy Spirit’s thoughts, asking Him what He wanted to share in regards to this rather strange thought, here is what I got. You can seek Him too, and see what He says to you. It may be similar, or with more!

Mary, actually having the Hebrew name Miriam, did indeed have a little lamb, who was the Lamb of God. Yeshua (Jesus) was being sent by God the Father to planet earth to redeem mankind, for “long lay the world in sin and error pining” (Recall O Holy Night?)

She had been called by God, to be the human vessel used by Him in this unfolding eternal plan of salvation, in order to further show His love through and for us. The Lord’s plan of redemption was being fulfilled.

It always amazes me how our God uses ordinary people, just like us, to do extraordinary things. That is how He chooses to so often do His work.

Mary’s response to this call was to walk in obedience, though I am sure in her heart, mind, and soul she had many questions. We ourselves can learn from her, seeing how she chose to walk it out in faith, and not let doubt or unbelief keep her from her mission. Good move Mary!

As the nursery rhyme continues, “His fleece was white as snow.” Fleece in those days was the woolen coat of the lamb, not the jacket we wear today. This lamb’s fleece was a white as snow. In Isaiah 1:18 we read, "Come now, and let us reason together," says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.”

As students of the Scriptures, we know that the lamb brought to the altar of sacrifice, to be offered up to cover sin, had to be without spot or wrinkle. The lamb’s fleece had to be white as snow. Only Yeshua (Jesus), the perfect Lamb of God, was born without spot or wrinkle, with no sin (and no, it was not Mary who was without sin, as I was taught as a young boy at the Catholic school I attended. She too had to be saved by the Savior born through her.)

“And everywhere that Mary went the lamb was sure to go.” As a boy growing up in Joseph (Yosef was his Hebrew/Jewish name) and Mary’s Nazareth home, Yeshua was raised fully in His Jewish culture, following in obedience that which His earthly parents taught Him. He learned what the feasts of the Lord were; He experienced the day to day life we all do; He lived fully as a man so He could identify with everything that we ourselves would experience. There was no “silver spoon” for Him, in life or death.

“He followed her to school one day.” Up until His 13^th birthday, the year He would have had His bar mitzvah when a Jewish boy is now to become a man, Yeshua learned obedience from Miriam and Yosef. He learned to listen, to become responsible, to allow His parents to prepare Him in the natural for the supernatural work He knew He was sent to do. He did manual labor, learning from Yosef the carpenter, even all about the sweat and toil that comes from being productive (as my son-in-law Andrew likes to say – “We need to be productive.”)

“He followed her to school one day, which was against the rule, it made the children laugh and play to see a lamb at school.”

Yeshua didn’t play along with the religious games of that time in history. Nor does He even today. On many occasions, He would point out that the Pharisees and Sadducees were not the ones to follow. Their religion, their rules, and manmade regulations were actually strangling the people, keeping them from knowing the true love, care, and protection of their heavenly Father.

“And so the teacher turned it out, but still it lingered near, and waited patiently about, till Mary did appear.”

Jesus was rejected by the ruling authorities – both the religious and the political Romans. He was crucified outside the Jerusalem city walls, along with the common thieves, murderers, and even innocent victims of the cruel world. Today He is still rejected by those who seek their own agendas. But those who seek Him will receive the salvation He alone can offer them.

"Why does the lamb love Mary so?" the eager children cry. "Why, Mary loves the lamb, you know." The teacher did reply.”

The majority of people in the nations will not understand why the Lamb of God loves us so much. They will not receive the Gospel and believe that Jesus, the Son of the Living God, came to this earth to die for our sins. They will not understand His desire to deliver them from their sins; to free them from bondage they live under; to redeem their souls from the eternal hell that will come if they do not repent, believe, and follow after Him.

But that is now our mission that we have been called to do – to take the Gospel, the Good News of the Lamb, to the peoples inhabiting the nations, so that they can hear, believe, and obey. To those, whosoever will believe and receive, the Living God of Israel’s plan of redemption. The know the One who came to earth, was raised in a Jewish family, lived among us, died on the tree, and was gloriously raised from the dead on the third day, as was prophesied centuries before by the Jewish prophets. He now ever lives upon His throne, preparing the world before He returns, coming the second time in glory and power.

The Lamb of God came the first time to lay His life down so that we might live eternally with Him. Walking this world as a man, He lived as we do, yet without sin, in order to be the perfect Lamb that God the Father would receive as the perfect sacrificial lamb.

When Jesus returns in glory, as the Lion from the tribe of Judah, I pray that this nursery rhyme, which Holy Spirit used today, in a small way, to again tell His story. I hope this will inspire you to walk in faith, learn obedience, and be ready for these end of days that are coming upon us, if not already here.

It won’t be a nursery rhyme then. So you better watch out, you better not cry. But instead, pray, and then obey. He will be speaking to you today.

Now think on this,

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

Love For His People, Inc.

P.S. This message was first published on Dec. 13, 2015. It can also be found in my published book "Twelve"for $7.99 in paperback, and also in Kindle e-book format. 

Order here: "Twelve" (12) by Steve Martin - Amazon paperback

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

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.

Click here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: Love For His People. If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available). 

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  

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Now Think On This - In the year of our Lord 12.13.15 - #219 –“Mary Had A Little Lamb” – Sunday at 7:45 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

Love For His People ministry - Books Published 2013-2018 - Martin Lighthouse Publishing

Love For His People ministry

BOOKS PUBLISHED

Martin Lighthouse Publishing

2013-2018

Dec.22, 2018

I give thanks to the Lord Jesus (Yeshua) for the gifts He has given - to write, publish, and distribute these books as a ministry outreach of Love For His People, Inc.

After sitting unpublished for 10 years in my garage cabinet, my first book, The Promise, One Man's Journey To See God's Word Revealed, was published in 2013. It was soon followed by Ahava Love Letters in the same year, upon my return from the ministry's Ahava Adventure ("love" in Hebrew is ahava) trip to Israel that October. 

Through the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, with grace, joy, and creative thoughts, and a few hundred pictures from my photo albums, the other books came forth, written and then self-published through Martin Lighthouse Publishing.

My son Ben Martin skillfully did the covers for "The Promise" and "Leadership Through Love." Through Xulon Press, Ahava Love Letters was printed. All the other 16 books were done online using my photos and the layout tools of CreateSpace/Kindle Publishing (Amazon).

All but one of the 19 books are available in paperback from Amazon (Kindle e-versions also) and from our ministry office. (Ahava Love Letters can be purchased only through the Love For His People ministry office here in the Charlotte area.)

As we continue to share the love of God the Father through these published works, and future writings yet to come forth, my heart is so grateful for the opportunity to bring hope, inspiration, love, and courage to those who have been touched through this outreach.

From my heart to yours, ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

Charlotte, North Carolina  USA

Contact information:

Love For His People

P.O. Nox 414

Pineville, NC 28134 USA

loveforhispeople@gmail.com    www.loveforhispeople.blogspot.com

Open Door - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Open Door

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

"I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars. I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden wealth of secret places, so that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.” (Isaiah 45:2-3, NASU)

There was no special thing I was doing this Saturday morning at 5 am, except reading Don Moen’s new book entitled, “God Will Make A Way” (Emanate Books/Thomas Nelson, 2018). Off and on for over a month I had been picking it up and reading a chapter. At about the same time Stephen E. Strang had come out with his second book on President Donald Trump, entitled “Trump Aftershock.” (Frontline/Charisma Media, 2018). I had also finished reading one chapter of that one too before I picked up Don’s book again.

Each book (and of each man written thereof) is very different in several ways, but specifically, both had been (and still are!) called to serve in our Lord’s purposes for the nations. One knew it early on in his walk with the Lord and has continually sought the Living God along the journey. The other will certainly get a very real, deep sense of what he is fully called to do, even though he has not quite known as yet Who is working through him. This plan will go way beyond even where his extreme confidence in himself has gotten him thus far.

As I was reading along as to how the Lord had directed Don in several ways he didn’t always understand, Holy Spirit started moving in me. Usually, when I receive a prophetic word, I begin to feel this bubbling start to rise in my stomach, as if butter is being churned up in a wooden bucket. (You have to have been on a dairy farm to understand that, as in Minnesota or Wisconsin for me.) I knew it was not the early morning coffee affect either. The Lord wanted me to write.

So I put down the book, not sure exactly what He wanted to be written, or for whom. I just knew something was coming, and to turn my computer on.

I got up from my prayer/reading chair and went into the other room, praying as I walked. “What, Lord? What am I to write?”

His response in my head, “Open doors. Let people know their open door is here. For many, it is right now.”

Thus this message. At this time. For you right now.

Prophetic art by James Nesbit

I sense that there are many of you who have come to where you are not sure you will, or even want to, continue on. You have prayed. You have waited. You have cried, saying to the Lord, “It will never happen. I will never get to that place where, and what, you put in my heart years ago. I wanted to get there then. Now it is too late.”

But the Lord Jesus would say back to you, “It is not too late. It is now the time. There were other pieces of the puzzle that had to line up, others had to get in place, and now is the time for that door to be opened. You have come this far. Walk through the door. Now is the time. Now is the place. Now is the plan ready to be fulfilled for you. Walk through the open door. In faith, walk through that door.”

As I write this, again Holy Spirit begins to stir up my spirit, and as I pray in tongues, I know there are specific people He wants to make known to that this specific word is especially for them. Kevin, Jesse, Ben, Mary, Julia, David, and more. Each of you has been waiting. Each has wanted a clear word. This is it for you.

And if your name wasn’t listed here, but you too sense the Lord touching your spirit as you read that word, then I suggest you too believe it is for you. Prophetic words often go beyond the one spoken too. They can be for many, as you hear and respond also.

Your faith, coupled with His grace, brings spirit-led results. Don’t doubt but believe.

Keep your eyes fixed on Him as you walk through your open door. Even in your weariness or seemingly lack of faith, in the walking you will experience His strength, power, and ability to carry out the mission He has called you to accomplish.

Now is the time to walk through the open door that He has now opened for you.

Thank you, Lord Jesus!

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

P.S. Want an adventure walking on short adventures? Check this out: "Walk With Me" video series with Steve Martin.

Also, I hope you get my latest book, Adventures in Courage, out this November. Paperback or Kindle versions. My 19^th authored publication. (Yes, this is an advertisement!) Still time before Christmas! Buy here on Amazon: Adventures in Courage

If these messages have ministered to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $10-$50 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families in Israel whom we consistently help monthly through our humanitarian work. Your tax-deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

  

Secure, conveniently contributions can be done online now. Click here: DONATE 

(or use the DONATE buttons on the blog.)

Contribution checks can be sent to: 

Love For His People, Inc. 

P.O. Box 414   

Pineville, NC 28134

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

Please share Now Think On This with your friends on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, and LinkedIn.  We appreciate your help.

Now Think On This #377 - in the year of our Lord 12.22.18 – “Open Door”  Saturday 5:55 am