Influence - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Influence

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“Thus the message about the Lord continued in a powerful way to grow in influence.”

(Acts 19:20, Complete Jewish Bible)

As I watched the life celebration of the fallen police officer on the newscast, I was amazed by the influence the young man of 37 already had had upon the community. He had been in service for 12 years, shot down in the line of duty. But during his life here on earth, he had a major impact on many – within his family, church and the local community. Thousands attended the funeral service in person. Many more watched as I did on one of the three local TV stations covering the broadcast from the church. (Later, the car procession from the church to the cemetery, following the casket, was an hour long on the interstate.)

As the sheriff, father, brother and church pastor each spoke in turn, a major portion of the young man’s life was shared with thanksgiving, appreciation, and acknowledgment of the years he had, touching others’ lives in a very positive way. His profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was publicly pronounced as well, for he had been one known to live out his Christian faith, through demonstrating his own love and commitment to those around him. He had touched lives. He had influenced many.

Many books are written about those who have gone before us, who had set their hearts to accomplish the purpose for which they had been born. I would imagine few knew what that purpose was as they first started out, but as they grew, the realization of their gifts and talents they had been given were made known to them. They then wasted little time in taking their place and walking out their call. Thus their names are remembered in the historical records that commemorate their achievements.

Some of those who have gone before us even acknowledged their Lord’s hand upon them, providing the strength, direction, and confidence to impact the lives of others He brought them in contact with. These ones may not have been well known outside their immediate circles. In fact, it may only small numbers who lived around them who knew of the impact they had. But I believe that even these small ripples they created were passed down through family members and friends they influenced over their years. Through their life, others were encouraged and thus enabled to carry on in faith.

Knowingly or unknowingly, we impact those around us. Our life is an influence on them, either good or bad. The words we say, the acts we do, the way we conduct our lives does affect others. We must be careful that we bring positive, purposeful influences. We must be aware that what we say and do certainly helps or hinders others, today and beyond.

As Paul wrote, ‘Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.” (Philippians 3:17, NKJV)

In my own life, as the second oldest child within a family of 10, I was keenly aware of the influence I had among my younger siblings, and the example I led. Many times I had to repent for failing to be a good example to them. I am thankful for the times I was one to follow after.

We do influence others, and what others see us doing for the good hopefully will become an example to them. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, let us be great influencers of life, love and the Christian walk of faith.

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this,

  

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

Please be sure to sign up for our newsletter. Use the "Sign Up" button on our website, or go here: Sign Me Up!

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 #341 - in the year of our Lord 01.22.18 – “Influence”, Monday, 3:15 pm

Aim for the Target - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Aim for the Target

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim;” (1 Corinthians 9:26, NASU)

Aiming to hit the mark is the purpose of anyone seeking to put the arrow where it will count the most. Setting our purpose on the Lord’s will is just as important – wanting to get it right on the bull’s eye in order to make the most of His plan for us. Sometimes we get it right on. Sometimes not.

Though He knows the road ahead of us it falls on us to make the intentional purpose to know it for ourselves. Whether you are 20 or 60, we won’t know for ourselves unless we use the mapping equipment He gives us. These tools are available to us so we can walk down the right road, and be in the center of His plan.

Over the years I have watched how others seek the Lord; what they have taught in their pursuit of Him and how they have discerned His plan for them. Though the goal is not the exact same for everyone, for each has his place to fulfill, the ways given to reach that goal are so. We can reach the target. We can walk in His way.

When seeking the Lord for direction, the tools given to us include knowing His Word, the Bible, hearing His voice through prayer, and hearing the instructions taught by others. Receiving a prophetic word and understanding circumstances are also part of the mix. The Lord wants us to know His will for us. He makes all these avenues available to those who want to know it.

In His Word, accurately passed down through the centuries, He has provided examples of His working in the lives of those who have gone before us.

“Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11-12, NASU) Common to all through the lives of these were the temptations, trials, and opportunities to see the Lord move, even as they are in our lives. We can learn from them. Reading His Word on a regular basis enables us to understand more because of them. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel.

Prayer, communicating with the Lord, gives us the opportunity to speak our heart to Him on matters, and in return hear His heart on these concerns. With His Holy Spirit as our Comforter and Guide, impressions received and obvious responses to our prayers show us He is acting on our behalf. Seeing His hand in daily input encourages us to seek Him often and with thanksgiving in our asking and acknowledging.

Being with other believers, receiving wisdom and encouragement from them in matters we need clarity on, certainly helps guide our steps. Input given through them through teaching, either from their own experiences or having gained insight through the teaching of others, is a vital asset in knowing the Lord’s will for our lives. Someone who has walked the path further and longer carries with them insight that others don’t have as yet. Accepting their life’s wisdom helps us to avoid pitfalls, and get closer to our destination in safety and fulfillment.

“Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14, NKJV)

Being a strong believer in personal, prophetic words as another form of God’s guidance, I have received words spoken into my life which either prepared me for the years ahead, or encouraged me in the midst of trials and fog when I needed a sure word from the Lord. Receiving these words has allowed me to use all aspects of the Holy Spirit’s methods of showing me the way, whether it be through another with the prophetic gift, by a dream, or given through a supernatural act that didn’t “just happen”, but was a sign giving instruction to me. I consider any and all ways of the Lord’s voice coming my way to be received and discerned for its full purpose. He freely gives these to all who are open to receive them.

The Lord wants us to know which way to go and how to get there. Practicing in a consistent way the methods He has given us will make us more certain when He speaks and how to respond to His leading. We must know Him to know His ways and walk in them. Then we can be confident of the direction we are heading.

Our faith will be strengthened and encouraged in our pursuit of Him, as we continue to aim for the target. He will show us the way to go.

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this,

  

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

Please be sure to sign up for our newsletter. Use the "Sign Up" button on our website, or go here: Sign Me Up!

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 #340 - in the year of our Lord 01.12.18 – “Aim for the Target”, Friday, 1:00 pm

More Quickly - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

More Quickly

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“I myself will gather what remains of my flock from all the countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their homes, and they will be fruitful and increase their numbers. I will appoint shepherds over them who will shepherd them; then they will no longer be afraid or disgraced; and none will be missing,” says Adonai.” (Jeremiah 23:3-4, Complete Jewish Bible)

On January 3, 2018 I woke up remembering a dream the Lord had given me that night. I try to remember dreams when He gives them to me, but often I don’t, as much as I try later. But this one I did recall.

In the dream, I was at an airport and I could see labels marked “Aliyah” (immigration to Israel). The labels were being used to tag luggage so that each piece could be properly claimed later upon arrival at the traveler’s destination. I could see it was a Canadian airport, and these were American Jews passing through the airport system. Israel was the final stopping point for them.

There were so many of them needing the label “Aliyah” that the airport ran out of the tags. I can’t recall what the airport personnel did at that point, but it didn’t seem to stop the movement of the people.

When thinking about this later, and after sending a brief message to a friend in Israel who is involved in aliyah for Jews, I believe the Lord is ramping up the timetable for Jews around the world to make aliyah – to return to Israel as their homeland. I believe it will especially be important for American Jews to seriously consider this move for themselves and their families in these coming years. I am not sharing this out of fear, but out of the sense that it is certainly now time.

The time has come to move. The Lord has prepared the way for them.

The phrase “more quickly” comes to mind, as the urgent sense of timing is more important now that it has ever been. Sometimes you know or sense something is to be done, and you sit on it for a while, either out of procrastination, ignorance or unwillingness to acknowledge it. I sense that that time for these doing so is coming to an end. They must be willing to act, and then do so. Otherwise, it will not be an option, or it will cost more in money and effort than it would have if obedience had taken place earlier.

I pray for the Lord’s provision and protection to be with them as they heed His voice.

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this,

  

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

Please be sure to sign up for our newsletter. Use the "Sign Up" button on our website, or go here: Sign Me Up!

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 #339 - in the year of our Lord 01.03.18 – “More Quickly”, Wednesday, 10:40 am