Grandeur - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Grandeur

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!'" And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God." (Revelation 19:9-10, NKJV)

Amazing isn’t it – a wedding that cost $45,000,000! And I thought $10,000 for such an event was extravagant (which it is, for many families.)

That, I repeat, was a mere $45 million as the estimated price paid for the marriage ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England, according to some reports (CBS). About $40 million went to cover security needs, with over 100,000 as the estimated spectator size lining the route after the wedding, and thousands more invited guests gathered in and around Windsor Castle. So overall about $5 million was spent just for the wedding itself. (Still unfathomable!)

The UK taxpayers cover those security costs, leaving the family to reportedly pay for the wedding themselves. (Doesn’t the father generally cover most of that, as here in the USA? I guess it is different among the royals.) 

Meghan’s dress was reported to be around $340,000 alone. I am sure the military provided Harry with his uniform, so they saved there if that was a concern.

When I see such grandeur (meaning splendor and impressiveness, especially of appearance or style) I get somewhat cynical and judgmental at the very use of such funds. After all, could not that money have been spent on the needs of the poor, which I am sure also line the streets in the nation’s cities? (Didn’t England’s own Scrooge say that once in regards to the poor?)

And yet I recall a message once given by a Bible teacher, outlining the ways the Lord demonstrates some of His majesty through the specifics each nation represents of His glory, if only as just a glimmer. What England and other monarchs through the ages have shown is quite royal, and yet even that is nothing compared to the overwhelming glory of the King of the universe. By their earthly demonstration of a kingdom and its royalty, we are able to see, again as if only a glimmer, how much our Eternal King, His Only Son and Holy Spirit are preparing for those who believe and have accepted His salvation. That salvation, by the way, paid in full, bought solely by the precious Blood of Jesus, the Messiah, Yeshua HaMashiach.

When I take some time to ponder the majesty and glory of heaven, I simply cannot comprehend it all. And yet, the grandeur it represents will certainly cause this temporal world’s presentation to be far short of that which is to come.

“Who compares with you

among gods, O God?

Who compares with you in power,

in holy majesty,

In awesome praises,

wonder-working God? (Exodus 15:11, THE MESSAGE)

What a hope we have, for those who are trusting in the saving grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, He Who came sinless, lived among us, was brutally crucified, dead and buried, and then Who magnificently rose on the third day, fulfilling all prophecies to that point concerning the Messiah. He Himself is soon to return on His mighty steed, taking up His throne in the city of the Great King, Jerusalem, Yerushalayim. What a day that will be!

Nothing compares to that which is to come, and yet He allows us to see some glimpse of it while we remain here on earth.

While I still have a bit trouble with such immense wealth some have here for a few decades of life, my Lord tells me that the mansion and eternal life laid up for myself and many others far exceed that which we know now.

So while it is good to celebrate marriages (between one man and one woman) as we await the mighty big one that is yet to come, between Jesus and His Bride, we say “Even so, Maranatha! Come quickly Lord Jesus! Your marriage supper will have it all!”

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.

  

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(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.) 

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Now Think On This #351 - in the year of our Lord 05.21.18 – “Grandeur”, Monday, 9:45 am

God Will Make A Way - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

God Will Make A Way

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast…” (Hebrews 6:19, NASU)

There may be times when something totally unexpected hits us in our life as if someone just punched us in the gut when we did not see it coming. A great fear tries to overwhelm us; panic pushes from without to get at us from within; confusion and uncertainty attempt to overtake our assurance. When this happens, the anchor of our soul must hold strong. The hope we had known in our Savior’s arms must be the hope that now keeps us from falling, from turning back from pressing forward.

I remember the time in 1990 when I had given my notice to leave one ministry position in order to take one with another, that I had been waiting for, only to find out that the one I was going to had withdrawn the offer. My current office job already had someone coming to fill my place. With a wife and four kids to support, and now without a job, I panicked. Seeing this supposed upcoming position as the reason we had moved from the North to the far south in Florida, only to find out after three years that it wasn’t going to happen, was totally unexpected. It left me hanging. If it wasn’t for the grace shown me by the International Director of the ministry I had been with, we would have been without income, in a state far from family, and left with a dream that seemed to end up as a nightmare.

Don Moen, worship leader and songwriter with Integrity Music at the time, had just come out with his song, “God Will Make A Way” (1990). The cassette tape got totally wore out in my player, as I desperately sought the Lord, listening over and over again, hanging onto the hope that had been found in Him since my youth.

The lyrics were very comforting and brought assurance to my spirit.

"God Will Make A Way"

God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me

He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

Oh, God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me

He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

By a roadway in the wilderness, He'll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and Earth will fade but His Word will still remain
He will do something new today

Don Moen

Produced by Tom Brooks

Album Worship With Don Moen: God Is Good, Integrity Music 1990

This worship song was the constant reminder that I needed at that time - that my Lord Jesus was the solid One Who would make the way for us. He had always been faithful in our lives, and He would not let me and my family down now.

After a rough eleven months of holding on and seeking His will, where we almost made the move from Fort Lauderdale to Kansas City, Charlotte, or wherever I could find a job, I was encouraged when I was hired by the other ministry, in 1991. Ultimately both ministries then moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1994, and our family was part of that wagon train.

There have been other times where the solid anchor of hope proved to be shown strong and sturdy, keeping us from drifting in the open ocean of doubt, fear, and unbelief. God always did make a way, even in the darkest night and the loneliest of times. As we continually cling to His promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us, our confidence in Him remains.

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5-6, NKJV)

Hope is one of the three, along with faith and love, that our walk with the Lord requires. With Him as the Giver of each, we can keep walking the walk, all the way into eternity.

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 #350 - in the year of our Lord 05.17.18 – “God Will Make A Way”, Thursday, 1:30 pm

Labyrinth - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Labyrinth

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all: that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God.” (Eccl 9:1, NKJV)

As for us, I can count the many churches my good wife and I have been a part of over these decades, serving in fellowship and in friendship. It numbers 11, since 1980. From Illinois to Michigan, then Florida and now North Carolina, we have been around. In Charlotte alone, since 1994, it has been six churches. So we know a lot of people attending different Sunday morning services!

Though to my knowledge I am not Jewish, I could say that I certainly have the heart of one, and at times thought I was like a “wandering Jew”, going from place to place. We made many friends and connections during these decades, and though some would consider this “bouncing from place to place”, it has been something I wouldn’t consider amiss. The Lord knows that when it comes to pollinating as flowers are by bees, we certainly can say we have done that. It also has given us the opportunity to connect churches to each other through these friendships.

When I received a prophetic word back in 1995 that I was in a labyrinth (at the time I had NO idea what that meant), I can now look back and see how the hand of God has directed. Even as the dictionary says, “a complicated irregular network of passages or paths in which it is difficult to find one's way; a maze”, I realize indeed that that word was from the Lord. This time has been an irregular network of passages. The journey has been a maze.

If you find yourself in a sort of labyrinth moment, or year, or even decade, don’t consider yourself too weird. It very well may be the Lord God of Israel directing your path. If you had asked Him to do so with an honest and seeking heart, you very well may find yourself too going from place to place for a certain period of ordained time. But know that there is an end, and once finally settled you will know it has been well worth the journey.

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 #349 - in the year of our Lord 05.08.18 – “Labyrinth”, Tuesday, 3:20 pm