Gold Stars - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Gold Stars

“…and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, ” This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” Matthew 3:17, NASU

Remember getting a gold star on your school paper in grade school? Even adults love it. This I know, for on my accounting job in a corporate office setting, after I had finished reconciling the credit card expense report of a staff’s individual month expenditures, I would send a “gold star’ back to one or more in an email, if deserving. That is if they did their work accurately and in excellent order.

I loved rewarding those doing a job well done. And they loved it if they got one! A gold star!

That may have happened a few years ago, but just today I heard someone say they had heard another express how they had loved getting them. I’ll have to start it again.

People receive and appreciate affirmation. We all love gold stars.

What was it like when your dad and mom said to you, “Good job” after you knew you did a job well done on the task, no matter how small or large, that they had given you to accomplish? It felt good, right?

Imagine if God the Father spoke out loud to you, in the presence of others, as He did for Jesus, saying, “This is My beloved son (or daughter) in whom I am well pleased.” What would that do for your spirit! It sure would cause mine to soar!

Affirmation, or being assured of who you are or what you have done, is so vital to each of us. Many did not receive it growing up, though. No father or mother who gave approval but should have. Or not having a good teacher, who acknowledged your best efforts, but missed it. Maybe it was a sports coach who really loved the other one but rarely noticed you. (Sit on the bench as I did in football senior year? At least #88 was between #87 and #89. Comrades on the bench.)

We can be confident that once we have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, that He affirms us. When the Father sees us, He sees Jesus, His Holy Spirit, in us. And He is well pleased. With His precious blood having covered all our sins, through His death on the tree, what the Father sees then is His redemption having been received by those who call on His Son’s Name for salvation.

Not only should we desire affirmation, but we should also seek to keep doing those things which deserve being acknowledged, and even doing so even if it doesn’t. (For our God sees all.) Paul urges us to keep striving to do that which pleases our Lord and to do it continually and increasingly in our lives.

“Therefore, brothers, just as you learned from us how you had to live in order to please God, and just as you are living this way now, we ask you — indeed, united with the Lord Yeshua, we urge you — to keep doing so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you on the authority of the Lord Yeshua.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1-3, Complete Jewish Bible

Be affirmed in your knowledge of your place in the Lord’s heart. Then practice affirming those around you, encouraging them to keep striving and not grow weary in doing good. (2 Thessalonians 3:13)

Getting gold stars is minor compared to the crowns we will receive once we reach our heavenly destination and eternal rewards. Won’t that be great!

Now think on this and see what good things the Lord has in store for you and those around you.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin, Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

Thank you for reading!

Please sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter: Now Think On This. The sign-up form is on our ministry website: https://loveforhispeople.com

You are welcome to help support the families in Israel that we do. Give now. Givelify.

Love For His People ministry P.O. Box 414 Pineville, NC 28134

loveforhispeople@gmail.com

Please share Now Think On This with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and LinkedIn.  Others will be thankful you did.

Now Think On This #456 – in the year of our Lord 09.04.19 – “Gold Stars” – Wednesday, 8:30 pm

Count the Stars - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Count the Stars

Steve Martin

“Then He brought him outside and said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." (Genesis 15:5, NKJV)

Have you ever tried counting the stars? If you live in a city or suburban area, you can hardly see any stars at all due to the bright night lights that light up the sky, which prevent the heavenly lights from shining through to your eyes. You must get out into the country, away from the glow of mankind’s rays, to see the ultimate canopy of the Lord God, Creator of the universe. Then you will experience His awesomeness.

In the summer of 1973, fresh out of the Catholic high school in Waterloo, Iowa, (Columbus High, home of the Sailors!) I went on a mission trip to the hill country of northern Georgia. Blairsville, Georgia to be exact. Northeast of Atlanta, somewhat near the North Carolina state line. A group of older teenagers went on the six-week adventure to lead a summer Bible youth camp for underprovided kids, sponsored by a Catholic mission.

Being 18, I loved it! Quite the adventure driving my two-door, metallic blue 1963 Mercury Cougar all the way from Iowa, through Cincinnati, OH. It was a great time, forever stored in my memory banks. (Read the full story in my book, The Promise – One Man’s Journey to See God Revealed).

One thing I very much remember to this day were the nights, both black and white. At those late times of the finishing day (or the beginning of the new day, as with the Jews, as written in the Torah when God created each day), if the clouds covered all above you, you could raise your hand in front of your face and not even see it. It was that so utterly dark. Midnight blackness!

But if it was a clear night, looking up from these northeastern mountains in Georgia, the Lord God Almighty revealed Himself in glory, for the stars were fantastically brilliant. The heavens were filled with His creation in one of His very vast realms. Because of the sheer numbers, you could not count the stars. Wow!

Imagine the promise the Lord had given Abraham, beginning in Genesis 12, of the immense number of descendants that was coming forth of his lineage, if he obeyed. Once he had heard the Lord’s word to “leave your country and go to the place I will show you”, the promise for Abram (later changed to Abraham) was beginning to unfold. His reward would be great.

“Now Adonai said to Avram, “Get yourself out of your country, away from your kinsmen and away from your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, I will bless you, and I will make your name great; and you are to be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, but I will curse anyone who curses you; and by you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

So Avram (Abram) went, as Adonai (the Lord) had said to him, and Lot went with him. Avram was 75 years old when he left Haran. Avram took his wife Sarai, his brother’s son Lot, and all their possessions which they had accumulated, as well as the people they had acquired in Haran; then they set out for the land of Kena‘an (Canaan) and entered the land of Kena‘an.” (Genesis 12:1-5, Complete Jewish Bible)

Obedience to the word of the Lord, written in His Word the Torah, the Prophets and the Psalms (and all of the Bible), will always bring a reward. Abraham believed, and it was rewarded to him. And not only to him but “…all the families of the earth will be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3)

“By trusting, Avraham obeyed, after being called to go out to a place which God would give him as a possession; indeed, he went out without knowing where he was going. By trusting, he lived as a temporary resident in the Land of the promise, as if it were not his, staying in tents with Yitz’chak (Isaac) and Ya‘akov (Jacob), who were to receive what was promised along with him. For he was looking forward to the city with permanent foundations, of which the architect and builder is God.

By trusting, he received potency to father a child, even when he was past the age for it, as was Sarah herself; because he regarded the One who had made the promise as trustworthy. Therefore this one man, who was virtually dead, fathered descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and as countless as the grains of the sand on the seashore.” (Hebrews 11:8-12, Complete Jewish Bible)

In Genesis 215:1, the Lord even says to him that it would be an “exceedingly great reward.”

When we hear and obey the Lord, He honors our faith we have thus demonstrated. He will then allow His favor to come upon us, and He will provide covering and protection for not only us, but also for those whom He has given under our care and watch – our families, our churches, our cities, our nation.

Next time there is a clear night, drive out from the city lights, and look up. Try counting the multitude of stars if you can. When Abraham saw those very same heavenly creations centuries ago, he believed that the Creator would keep His promise. And He certainly did. Not even the hatred and anti-Semitism of all these past centuries could keep the Lord from fulfilling His promise to the chosen people the Jews, and all believers who call upon His name and were martyred for their faith.

Just look at the state of Israel today, and you know that the Living God, the Lord God of Israel, has indeed kept His promises. As Luke wrote in Acts 3:21, it is now the “times of restoration of everything which God spoke through the mouths of His holy prophets from eternity.”

Have you ever received a word from the Lord? You most certainly have! The Bible itself is His guaranteed Word to you. Believe it! Walk in His promises! See Him move in your life, your family, and even in this nation, the very one you live in.

Go out and try counting the stars some night. Sense the ever-living Holy Spirit’s presence lift your spirit to the eternal heavens. Have even more faith and believe our God the Father for even more of Himself!

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

If these messages have ministered to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $10-$120 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.

  

Please donate online safely through our website. 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.) 

Also, my latest book (#20) was just released last week. You can get it on Amazon here, in paperback or Kindle version: All Together Now - For His Plans & Purposes 

Please share Now Think On This with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, and LinkedIn.  Others will be thankful you did.

Now Think On This #396 - in the year of our Lord 03.05.19 – “Count the Stars” – Tuesday 3:55 am

The Grief, Pain, and Sorrow of Holidays - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

The Grief, Pain, and Sorrow of Holidays

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation." (Psalm 91:14-16, NKJV)

The winter Saturday had been rather long, though the daylight hours were shorter now. Our Dachshund dog woke me up at 3:00 am, needing to go out. After a time of Bible reading and prayer, I had to wait until 6:30 am to go to WalMart when they opened. I had forgotten my 20“x24” poster frame at the self-serve checkout counter the day before. (I know. How can you forget an item that big when you leave? Don’t know. I just did.)

Long-time-no-see nephew and niece-in-law came by the house a few hours later, after picking up their oldest daughter (of five girls, and one son) from the college campus dorm in a town nearby. With them having a full house, my childhood days helped realize a few their days. We had a truly delightful time with them. All eight. Their husband/dad had just gotten home from his fourth or fifth tour of duty the week before - Afghanistan (2x), Iraq (1) and Bosnia (1) or the years. So I guess that is four, unless I missed one. That I may have forgotten too.

Needing more photos frames for an idea I had made another trip to Walmart necessary (no advertising dollars for this plug given this way). By late afternoon I had completed my gift wrapping of 19 presents, fed the dog, ate the leftover chicken wings from a family Christmas party the night before, and told my good wife I needed to shut my eyes for a few minutes after she got home from her shopping.

Sitting in my regular prayer chair, I closed my eyes, anticipating a power nap. It didn’t happen.

This grief, pain and deep sorrow then came over me. I quickly realized it wasn’t any of my emotions coming to the surface, buried far below from days gone by. I had no reason to feel that, given the joy, peace, and love from God the Father in my life recently. Someone else was experiencing this.

This Holy Spirit word of knowledge, which often comes as a thought, word or emotion “out of nowhere”, was given to me to start interceding for another. I knew not who, or where they were. They, at that moment, or within a few days prior or forthcoming, were suffering from loss, and maybe exceptional rejection. Holy Spirit knew their need and knew I was available.

The holiday season wasn’t the joy, peace, and love that they wanted so bad to have too. And needed so much to experience. They were hurting.

Maybe a very close loved one had passed during this season in years gone by; or a spiteful rejection by a longtime friend left them clinging to any glimpse of hope they could grip onto, possibly loneliness from not having family or friends nearby, as others did, was enveloping their spiritual being. 

Whatever the reason, one of these events or another trauma was causing this very real moment in time hopelessness, helplessness, and gut-wrenching emotional pain. I could really sense it in my spirit, coming from Holy Spirit.

Praying in tongues was my immediate reaction. God the Father was reaching out to embrace this one, who was needing to now know of His longtime committed love for them. Whether they knew Him or not, He fully knew them and was there to bring comfort and healing balm to their soul.

Maybe this is you? Maybe it is a bad memory, an unresolved, rejected relationship lost; or a Christmas went wrong that you never, ever want to remember or experience again. Please know that our God knows, and is wanting to reach out to you, bringing His love, peace, and joy into your heart right now, right at this moment.

Here are the full Bible verses of Psalm 91 for you to read.

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust."

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.

Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place,

no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up,

lest you dash your foot against a stone.

You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation." (Psalm 91, NKJV)

I have known deep loss. I have suffered rejection by ones who once called me their good friend. I am sure you have too.

You can be healed from this. You can forgive, and also receive forgiveness for anything on your end. It is not the end of the world. It can be the new beginning, whether you or 22 or 72.

May my prayer, and others so led and directed by Holy Spirit Himself, bring you the restoration and emotional surgery that you so long to acquire. May this be a true season of joy, peace, and love, as it was meant to be.

In Jesus, it certainly can.

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 #376 - in the year of our Lord 12.15.18 – “The Grief, Pain, and Sorrow of Holidays”  Saturday 6:30 pm