Love For His People: “No Christian could have said this better than Mr. Stein, a Jew."

Ben Stein

Love For His People: “No Christian could have said this better than Mr....: Ben Stein “No Christian could have said this better than Mr. Stein who is a Jew. Beautiful. If you consider yourself a CHRISTIAN, READ IT, I...

Us 4 and No More - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Us 4 and No More

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal.

"If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you'll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment's notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.”

John 12:24-26, THE MESSAGE)

Want to know the difference between a Christian and one who calls themselves a Christian?

Easy answer. It is the one who does what Jesus says to do. It is to follow Him. Doing what He said to be doing.

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:24-26, NASU)

Lest I lose you before I finish writing the last line, knowing being told what to do doesn’t normally sit right with many people, I’ll put it this way. If you say you are a Christian, and the outside world looking on can’t tell a difference between you and your neighbor, then are you really? 

I’m “just saying”, as ones like to say way down here in the South where I currently live.

Photo by Steve Martin, Israel

Let me ask you this question? Does your prayer life consist of “Bless us four and no more” as you

run out the door, after getting dressed of course (with or without the makeup), having already checked your Facebook, emails, morning news on TV, and making sure the hot coffee doesn’t spill in your Starbuck’s travel mug (which still amazes me seeing the long line-ups at each drive-up window, ready to put out another $3-$4 for the specialty coffee each day.) 

Now before you think I am being judgmental, which I am not, is this your normal routine, or have you really given the Lord, whom you call “Lord”, more than a quick “Remember me and my three” today, as you rush on with all the other stuff yet to do, before the sun rises?

Again, “Just saying.”

Do we really think we can have “the mind of Christ” if we have already filled it with the opinions, judgments, lies and fake news that are thrown at us daily, without having an opposite point of view, the Lord’s, to rightly judge what we are hearing and seeing? Without communicating with Him already in prayer, for discernment, understanding, and increasing in the knowledge of Him and His ways, can we really sling off all that is thrown at us?

“These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For "who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:13-16, NKJV)

For example, when it comes to just two of the basic Christian disciplines - to pray and read God’s Word on a regular basis - even as Jesus (Yeshua) did, and taught His disciples to do - do we?

Recently I have given myself more in obeying the words of the Bible, which the Apostle Paul wrote to his disciple, Timothy, to specifically pray in regards to our government, and spiritual, leaders.

“The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2, THE MESSAGE)

IF you are an American, or living in this country one way or another, as Christians who actually read the Instruction Book (also commonly known as the Bible), we are given the command to pray for our leaders. Personally, I didn’t obey that commandment regarding the previous president. I should have. But I sure do pray for our president now. And I pray that those who oppose him, as he continues to do great things, will themselves be removed from office, or at least silenced in what spews out of their mouths. (I am thankful for DVRs – we fast-forward whenever the opposing party speaks. It is just too many lies.)

Be sure to pray for Israel too. They are utmost on the Lord's heart, and we are called to stand with them.

I won’t be a “sweet and quiet” Christian anymore as if the gentle ones get the job done. Jesus is our example. He spoke the truth. He lived truth. He called for the hurt to come, and those needing a Savior, to come and follow Him. The others He rightly told where to go.

He is doing the same today.

You call yourself a Christian? Then along with me, live as if you mean it. Joshua did, and he did what he proclaimed. “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”

"Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:14-15, NKJV)

The Lord is looking for those few good men, women, and children who will hear and obey. Be one. More so then just praying, “us four and no more.”

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 one out I recorded in Jerusalem last fall: "Walk With Me" video series with Steve Martin.

Also, I hope you get my latest book, Adventures in Courage, published November 2018. Paperback or Kindle versions. This was my 19^th authored publication. (Yes, this is an advertisement!) 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 #380 - in the year of our Lord 01.11.19 – “Us 4 and No More” – Friday, 4:30 pm

Jerusalem - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Jerusalem

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“After He had said these things, He was going on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.” (Luke 19:28, NAS)

Jerusalem, my favorite city in the world. And I am not even a Jew. Imagine that.

I find it fascinating when American Jews ask me why I go to Jerusalem so much. I have made 15 trips from the USA since 1987 to the land of Israel. In these later years, I have tried to make it an annual event, as we are committed to doing this. Supporting Israel is especially the main objective for us, to keep a firm stand with them, through the work of Love For His People.

Why does a Gentile, goyim (Hebrew), former Roman Catholic, Evangelical, Pentecostal, Charismatic Christian, white Caucasian, Southern 63-year-old male from Cedar Falls, Iowa, born in Minnesota (any more descriptions I need to include?) want to go to Jerusalem so much?

Because those who live there are continually in the Lord’s heart (Jesus, Yeshua), and thus being a disciple and believer in Him, Jerusalem, and His People are also in my heart.

It was in Jerusalem where He came to earth, having been sent there from His Father and Holy Spirit; where He lived, was crucified, buried and rose from the dead. And from Jerusalem He then instructed His apostles, messengers, to take His Gospel, the Good News, to the ends of the earth, before He returns for the second time.

And thus this capitol, eternal city of Israel since the days of King David, is very important to the King of all kings, Who is my King too.

“Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. "You are witnesses of these things.  "And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:44-49, NASU)

Having established Jewish friends now in the Land, it surely makes my prayer life and desire for protection over them even more fervent. When you have family, you care more. At least that is how I was raised by my good mother and father. Israel is like family to me. The Jews are my friends, and I stand with them at all times.

While in Jerusalem, walking in the footsteps of Jesus is a big deal, even if the actual street level is 15-20 feet down below the current level. Centuries of ruin and captivity have layered the city. Archeological digs all over have proven this city has been the city of the Jews.

In 1917, when the Balfour Declaration was written, the homeland for the Jews once again began to be re-establish. In 1948 the Jews once again proclaimed Israel as their rightful, biblical state; and in 1967 they once again recaptured Jerusalem, never to lose it ever again. Prophetic words, spoken by Messiah Himself, had come to pass. Jerusalem is now eternally in the hands of the Chosen People. His prophesied return is thus getting real close.

“Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"

And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you.  For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.  And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.  All these are the beginning of sorrows.

"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthews 24:3-14, NKJV)

Jerusalem is the center of the world. It is the focus of all attention, whether some like that or not. It will continue to be in the headlines, news clips, social media sites, and all airwaves. The Living God of Israel has chosen to make Himself known among the nations, and Israel, especially Jerusalem, is His main concentration point. His Name will be held in high esteem, as He shows Himself strong on their behalf.

Watch the Jews. Watch Israel. And especially watch Jerusalem. That is where it all will happen in the end. This is where it will all be fulfilled, the completion of His work, the ingathering of the Jews to establish His purposes and ultimate plans.

His eternal destinies will be accomplished and established. No one or nothing will stop Him. Jerusalem – where the King will reside on His Holy Mountain.

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

  

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

I recorded an Arms of Love video message on this. 
Click here to watch it now: Jerusalem & Friends

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 - in the Year of our Lord 11.03.17 - #328 – “Jerusalem”, Friday, 4:10 pm