"Reunion" - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

“Reunion"

"Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept." (Genesis 33:4, NASU)

Jacob had long been separated from his brother Esau, going back to the time when Jacob did a bit of deceptive work and ended up with Esau's birthright. (Genesis 27-28) Having done that to Esau as Jacob dis, I would suspect that quite possibly you and I would have felt the same towards Jacob as Esau later did. Maybe not so much murder, but close to it. Or at least a little bit of animosity to say the least?

After all, none of us can declare that which would say, "I never had bitterness nor hatred towards anyone." At least I know I can't.

Many examples are written in God's Word, all are for our benefit, as Paul states in 1 Cor 10:11-12
"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." (NASU)

When Esau ran and embraced Jacob, it gives us several reasons that he was able to do this. You will have to read some of the preceding Scriptures for the full picture, but let me summarize as to what I think happened in Esau's heart.

1. "Esau ran to meet him". During the years of separation between the two brothers, the Lord had worked a change in Esau's heart. Maybe he realized the temporal here on earth, his birthright lost, wasn't worth the pain and agony, or hatred, toward his brother. He knew he hadn't been the perfect brother either. 

It is known that carrying these attitudes towards another, as in unforgiveness, eats away at your mind, soul, and spirit. Hopefully, as you grow older in the Lord you become aware of this, and turn, with repentance, from this sin.

When Esau ran to meet Jacob, he had already left all that behind. Nothing was holding him back now from expressing joy and love towards his younger brother.

2. "embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him" Esau led the way in showing total forgiveness and repentance on his part. Having already known the Lord's forgiveness on his part, he was able and willing to express that totally, and not hold back. It takes a mature believer to lead the way.

3. "they wept." I trust you too have known the release of years having pent-up emotions, and when a reunion occurs between friends and relatives that had been separation due to hurt, injustice, lies or selfishness, having a good cry, a fantastic flow of tears and all, feels really good. They let it all go. and let it all out.

I love when a reunion takes place between father and son, mother and daughter, cousin and cousin, employee and employer, pastor and congregant. Forgiveness is a great gift from our Father, Who Himself is always the first to express forgiveness. Having sent His Only Son Jesus, Yeshua, to die for our sins in order that we to may be forgiven was the very first ultimate step in restoration and reunion.

This week the Louis and Lila Martin clan celebrate another time of gathering in our biennial (once every two years event - I had to look it up myself). There certainly have been times of separation and individual reunions, but through the ongoing grace and mercy of our Lord, this family of 8 siblings has held together over these 60+ years. Thank God!

May the Lord give you the grace and love to express forgiveness in your relationships, because Lord knows we need it. And if you have a family or friend reunion coming up this summer, have a great time!

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.

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On July 5, 2019, Strength will be having our first Friday of the month meeting in The Barn at Antioch International Church in Fort Mill, SC. Come and celebrate the goodness of our God!

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P.S. In May 2019 I returned from my 20^th trip to Israel. And guess what? I brought back for you my last 58 short videos I entitled “Walk With Me in Israel”. You can join me as I walk through the beautiful land and cities of Israel. Watch them here on our YouTube channel: Walk With Me - Israel May 2019

Also, my previous ones from other locations are here also on YouTube: Walk With Me

If these messages have ministered to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $10-$25 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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Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.) 

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Now Think On This #433 - in the year of our Lord 06.18.19 – “Reunion” – Tuesday, 6:00 am

Let Not Your Heart Grow Cold - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Let Not Your Heart Grow Cold

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“Above everything else, guard your heart; for it is the source of life’s consequences.” Proverbs 4:23, Complete Jewish Bible)

I had woken up trying to fight off bitterness and resentment in my mind. I didn’t want it to overtake my heart.

In the dream I just had, my wife Laurie and I were ushers for a large gathering. I don’t recall if it was on a ship, at a conference, or a special church event. It seemed as if we had been part of the “invited guests” list, being a part of the group, but chose to be servants for the others by ushering. We had been doing this for a number of years.

As the dream continued, around 10 pm, when the meeting was over and all had left for the banquet, we too went to get our food, expecting to receive what the others would have gotten earlier. Along the way I passed several tables which had key lime pie available on small plates, as the desert. Thinking I might want a piece before they were gone, I picked up one plate and began eating the slice of pie. (I must have been hungry!)

When I got to the food line, where the food had been set up in cafeteria style for large crowds, all I could see left were turkey wings – basically bones with a little meat on them – and some mashed potatoes. I asked the servers if there was anything else left, and they said no. They were preparing for the next meal, but I couldn’t have that.

I then woke up (the red digital lights read 2:22 am on the clock) and I laid there for at least 20 minutes, trying to guard both my mind and my heart from the thoughts of bitterness, anger and resentment that threatened to overtake me. Here we had just served all these people, and yet nothing good was left for us to partake too.

It was a real struggle, as my mind thought back over the years when my service in ministry could at times have been taken for granted. Would I allow this attitude to get the best of me now at this point in my life?

There are three things I felt the Lord was trying to tell me. He may also do the same with you through this dream.

1.      We are in a spiritual battle. In these last days, our hearts can grow cold due to the atmosphere around us, with darkness trying to constantly overtake everything. We are in a real battle for our souls and those we are in contact with.

2.      As we grow older in the faith, and in our bodies, we can become cynical, seeing things happen over and over again, with no change happening. It can wear us down and cause us to pull back from engaging with others, and giving in service to them out of love.

3.      If we allow weeds to fall in our spiritual soil and grow roots, they will consume the good wheat that has also been planted. A root of bitterness can destroy your spiritual walk and testimony. “See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;” (Hebrews 12:15, NASU)

Looking back in our faith walk, in order to keep moving forward, if we do not give thanks and continue to see with the Lord’s vision, we will give in to that which will steal our joy, our purpose, and our direction in this life. We must keep fighting the good fight, guard our hearts, and pray that they do not grow cold.

Remember, we serve a good God, and He is the Rewarder of those who seek Him. May He find faith when He returns.  “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV)

Lord, help us stay close to you.

(By the way, I did get another hour of sleep before I got up for Bible reading and prayer.)

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People, Inc.

P.S. 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

We are blessed when the ministry receives gifts to support the families that we do, primarily in Israel, India, Pakistan and the hurting ones here in the USA. You also can share out of the abundance you have been given.

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  

martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin and  Love For His People  

Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople 

Blogs: Love For His People,   Now Think On This

Full website: Love For His People

YouTube: Love For His People Inc.

Now Think On This - In the New Year of our Lord 08.02.16 - #263 –“Let Not Your Heart Grow Cold” – Tuesday at 6:00 pm

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

NOW Is The Time - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

NOW Is The Time

- Now Think On This

by Steve Martin

 “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.” Ecclesiates 3:1 NAS

When the Word of the Lord comes to you and speaks softly in your inner spirit, saying, “NOW is the time,” you know that you know it is time. Something in your spirit then responds “Yes!” He doesn’t have to spell it out for you. That “it” – that something you have been waiting for, is now going to happen. You just know that it is the time. He has spoken.

Each of us are waiting on something. Some of you for a decent job, to replace the one or two part-time ones that you have had for awhile. Or the current job that you now have causes you to drag yourself out of bed each weekday morning, hoping that soon another will soon come along.

Others are anticipating the day when they will meet “the one”, trying not to lose hope in the process.

One of you reading this just wants the Lord to heal that nagging, hurting nerve. It has been painful for over a year now, causing loss of sleep and all that comes with a chronic issue. Enough already with the Aleve twice a day.

And yet several of you have been waiting for that release into your God-given dream; to touch the nations, to help the helpless, to have your life count for something, for all eternity. After all, the prophetic word came when you were 24. Now you are almost 40. What is up with that?

Waiting on the Lord and His timing can do one of two things. One, it can make you resentful that it hasn’t happened already, eventually turning your heart into bitterness for the Lord and His people, which then ultimately has you believing nothing that the Lord has spoken to you will ever come to pass.

Or two, you are maintaining that trust in His faithfulness, knowing deep down that though you can’t see the promise fulfilled, which may yet be far off, you keep pressing on. Because He has proven Himself to you in your past, you know that somehow, someway, someday He will be there to do it again. You are believing the Scripture for what it exactly says, and which has been speaking directly to you. 

You really believe the Scripture, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1. NASB)

I especially like these following verses that talk about Abraham’s and Sarah’s faith. Being in my “latter” years, or better yet, my “fine wine prime time golden ways of gray hair days” years, they are especially meaningful to me.

“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. (Hebrews 11:8-12 NASB)

The Lord understands our weaknesses. He knows where we are at. After all, He created us.

Today I heard the Lord say, “NOW is the time.” I have been waiting. Let it now be done according to your word, my Lord.

He is speaking to you too. The waiting is over. NOW is the time.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People. Inc.

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  

martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin and  Love For His People  

Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople 

Blogs: Love For His People,   Now Think On This

Full website: Love For His People

YouTube: Love For His People Inc.

Now Think On This #184 “Now Is The Time” by Steve Martin 

Date: In the year of our Lord 2015 (10.05.15) Monday at 6:00 pm 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

Pick Me - Overcoming Rejection & Disappointment - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Pick Me
- Overcoming Rejection 
& Disappointment 

- Now Think On This
by Steve Martin

“You did not choose Me, I chose you; and I have commissioned you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last; so that whatever you ask from the Father in My name He may give you.” John 15:16 CJB (Complete Jewish Bible CJB)


When it came time to pick teams for the grade school lunch time recess kick ball game, I enjoyed taking the ones the other team didn't want. And then beating them with a team of "rejects."

What others saw as being no good at playing ball, I liked to take those unchosen guys and girls and win the game, just by the sheer determination we had, if not because of natural talent. We didn't win all the time, but enough to gain some admiration from the opposing players, and the satisfaction of taking what others had rejected and proving them wrong.

In many ways the challenge of “getting picked or not getting picked” goes on throughout our lives. Even as an adult, I've been on the receiving end of "We don't need you," or "Sorry, but you don't have the qualifications." It hurts. Being rejected goes deep into our souls and spirits. It makes you feel like giving up in the pursuits you have been longing for. You sometimes wonder, "What is it going to take, Lord? When will I get picked?"

At times I don't have the answer, or can't seem to hear what I long to hear from the Lord when rejection occurs. The temptation is to just want to stop and say, “What is the use in trying?” We can reach a point where it is hard to continue believing it really will happen as you had dreamed, hoped, or seriously thought that it would.

So what do you do? Run from the Lord? Run to the Lord? Hide in shame because you once were convinced something wouldn't happen again, but then it did. Then you are not sure if it will ever have the promised fulfillment. Resisting bitterness at that point also becomes a challenge.

Hoping in people or an upcoming event, even trusting in one’s heart desires can't always be counted on. There are just too many circumstances that are out of our control, or so it seems to be. Thus disappointments, rejection and unfulfilled promises will continue to happen. They happened to Jesus - right down to His crucifixion.

David knew the rejection of family, in regards to his own father and brothers. He was likely sent to watch the sheep to keep out of their way. When all the others went to the battle front, it was David who had to stay behind, and do what was a meaningless job to others, a lowly shepherd, especially when one has aspirations of greater roles.

In Psalm 27:7-14, David wrote, “Listen, God, I'm calling at the top of my lungs: "Be good to me! Answer me!" When my heart whispered, "Seek God," my whole being replied, "I'm seeking him!" Don't hide from me now!

You've always been right there for me; don't turn your back on me now. Don't throw me out, don't abandon me; you've always kept the door open. My father and mother walked out and left me, but God took me in.

Point me down your highway, God; direct me along a well-lighted street; show my enemies whose side you're on. Don't throw me to the dogs, those liars who are out to get me, filling the air with their threats.

I'm sure now I'll see God's goodness in the exuberant earth. Stay with God! Take heart. Don't quit. I'll say it again: Stay with God.” (THE MESSAGE)

Throughout Scripture there are words that we must rely on. We need to learn to run to Him, for He is the Solid Rock. "My times are in Thy hands." (Psalm 31:15 NASB) It is a verse I have had to hold onto as truth often, when all else seems to be otherwise.

The Lord knows our pain. He understands the doubts and fears we face. He calls us to Himself, to help give us understanding when these times of rejection and disappointment come to each of us. They will come, but He does respond.

Disappointing experiences will pass. Another day will bring new understanding and opportunities to replace what was dreamed about. It doesn't make it any easier when we are in the midst of it, but knowing He will work it out, in His perfect timing, will help get us to the next day, and beyond.

If rejected, if disappointed, if seeing the promise unfilled...call on His Name, the Name of Jesus, Yeshua. Keep the hope He gives within, and move on with the overcoming spirit He has given to comfort us in the daily walk.

I had to again look to Him, even today, to overcome disappointment and that which I saw as rejection. Thankfully He was there in my time of need. I was able to stand and overcome the disappointment and rejection.

As the Scripture at the beginning of this message confirms, the Lord God has chosen us; He Himself has picked us to be His children. What confidence and faith for the future we can have because of this. When the times come that bring doubt, discouragement and rejection, we can stand on His Word. He has picked you and me, and He promised to see us through to the end.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Love For His People. Inc.

  

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.

Go 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  

martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin and  Love For His People  

Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople 

Blogs: Love For His People,   Now Think On This

Full website: Love For His People

YouTube: Love For His People Inc.

Now Think On This #152 “Pick Me” by Steve Martin 

Date: In the year of our Lord 2014 (05.19.14) Monday at 8:40 pm in Charlotte, NC.

All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on our newest website: Now Think On This