"Intimacy" - Think About It. Again. - Steve Martin, Love For His People ministry

July 28, 2019

Greetings friends of Love For His People.

As the Lord gives me titles of those messages once given, to be shared again, such as this one entitled “Intimacy” from March 2015, I realize that each of us need to be reminded of that which the Lord has already done in our lives.

When the Israelites (Hebrews) crossed over the Jordan River, under the leadership of Joshua in Exodus, they were commanded to take stones from the dry river bed and make an altar on the other side, to continually be reminded of the Lord’s deliverance for them out of slavery and bondage.

As you read the following, again or for the first time, be thankful for that which the Lord has also given you from your history, to share with the next generation and those who would follow. Our testimonies and lives laid down are to be examples of what the Lord has already done, thus giving us faith and courage for that which He yet plans to do with us, and them.

Think about it. Again. Or for the first time.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People ministry

Charlotte, North Carolina USA

Intimacy

- Now Think On This

by Steve Martin

“My beloved responded and said to me,

' Arise, my darling, my beautiful one,

And come along.

'For behold, the winter is past,

The rain is over and gone.

'The flowers have already appeared in the land;

The time has arrived for pruning the vines,

And the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land.

'The fig tree has ripened its figs,

And the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance.

Arise, my darling, my beautiful one,

And come along!'"

Song of Songs 2:10-13 NASU)

As my bride came down the church aisle that beautiful early evening, I sang these Scriptural words to her that I had written in my song, “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come along.” Though I had intended to sing several verses, I choked up on the second one. My heart was just overwhelmed at her beauty, her movement in that flowing white lace gown, and the presence of the Lord’s Holy Spirit in that place of matrimony. The time had come for us to be joined together as man and wife.

Our parents standing with us on Oct. 8, 1977, in Peru, Illinois

What seemed to have been a decade long wait was about to be fulfilled at that moment, as we were acknowledging the Lord’s plans and purposes for unity. Out of our desire to share the love in our hearts, He would also bring forth a family to demonstrate His love on the earth, in preparation for the eternal love in heaven.

From that day forward, we have grown in our care and provision for each other, sharing the gifts and spiritual fruit we each have had to give. In physical, emotional and spiritual intimate moments, we have experienced a touch of what the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have shared for all eternity. Believing that through the times of trials and required persistence, our hearts have been bonded together, the intimacy becoming more real in our lives together.

Being intimate with one other is not an “overnight sensation” that one can have with another simply out of a physical act. To participate in the intent of the Father’s love for mankind, there must be that commitment to be joined together for the long haul; to stand strong when the temptation is to flee; to keep the promise that was spoken at the altar years before. Intimacy is not for those who are looking for quick satisfaction of one’s emotional lust, but is given to committed hearts who have been and continue to be willing to sacrifice for each other, time and time again. From that solid promise to stay through sickness and health, riches or poverty, until death do we part, the intimate moments are fully experienced, fulfilling the longing in each heart to be accepted, nourished and kept in committed and submitted love.

In today’s society, there is the prevailing belief that there can be emotional intimacy without having a strong commitment to one another beyond a sexual act. When the Lord says that sex outside of marriage is wrong, it is because the Creator knows that a deep soulish tie will occur, bringing hurt and lasting pain when an improper joining happens. We were not created to share this intimate act in a non-binding relationship.

The emotional and physical act also carries with it a spiritual bond that has to be kept within the protected walls of marriage. Thus doing that which was intended only within the committed relationship of sacred marriage will produce an emotional scar, keeping us from experiencing real love. It will also leave a strong imprint that will need to be healed later. Our loving Father thus has warned over and over again that sexual intimacy is for the marriage bed only.

Laws are made to protect us, not to keep us from the Lord’s goodness and favor. Abiding in His laws of love and protection will bring eternal satisfaction, keeping our hearts pure and emotions strong. Breaking His loving laws will produce destruction in our spirit, soul, and body.

Intimacy between a man and a woman is a beautiful gift from God. Keeping it that way is a protection for our society and the good of all mankind.

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 using PayPal or Givelify.

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

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Now Think On This #169 “Intimacy” by Steve Martin 

Date: In the year of our Lord 2015 (03.29.15) Sunday at 12:30 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

"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!

Look here: Strength For Israel

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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Pineville, NC 28134

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

Commitment - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Commitment

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

  

“Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you can't. The heart regulates the hands.” (2 Corinthians 8:12-13, THE MESSAGE)

Normally you don’t celebrate your 40^th marriage anniversary of covenant love by writing a blog post to speak of commitment. You save that for later as you speak words of cherished days, happy memories, and the faithfulness of the Lord Jesus for your good wife or husband, as the case may appropriately be. That is right and great to do!

But I want to take this very special occasion, on my good wife Laurie and my 40^th wedding anniversary this October 8, 2017, to write on that very appropriate word for such a time as this – commitment.

I believe the Lord uses people as examples. His heart is to show His committed love, grace, mercy, faithfulness, long-suffering (!) and so much more through His people. He above all is the perfect example that we must follow after, and demonstrates that through His creation!

In these days of the “anything goes” attitude, which has now become so prevalent in our American culture, and elsewhere around the world, which people have so gravely mistaken to believe, and which will prove to their own hurt - that giving one’s word and standing on it; holding fast to something that will cost you to stick to it; and living a life laid down for others and not just for yourself - are “old school” and can be cast aside.

“That was for then. This is now. We must live in an enlightened era of freedom with no restraints.” Or so many would proclaim and take to the streets to demonstrate.

Well I am here to say, “Not true!”

Without giving multitudes and multitudes of Scripture, which have stood the onslaught of lies, destruction, slashing of teeth over and utter falsehoods spoken by the proud ignorant and vastly deceived, I want to once again proclaim the eternal truths that need to be spoken loud and clear.

1.      Marriage is between a man and a woman. You can’t produce the next generation naturally any other way. That should be obvious to anyone and all.

      2.      Sex is for the committed marriage bed. Anything outside of committed love will bring sickness and the clear results that sin produces.

      3.      When you stand at the altar of marriage, you eliminate the “D” word from your vocabulary. I spoke to my good wife 40 years ago within that week of our commitment to each other that divorce would never be an option. By the Lord’s grace and mercy we have fulfilled that promised word to each other.

4.      It takes a real man and a real woman to make a promise to one another and then stick to it, come heaven or hell. A promise is to be a promise, not a “we shall see whatever will be will be” watered down attitude; nor just as “long as were are in love.”

5.      If you commit to do something, do it. If you give your word, then keep your word.

6.      The weather isn’t always to your best liking. Neither are you to one another moment of the day. But tomorrow will still come, so get through it and make it work.

7.      I am not perfect. You are not perfect. But the Lord is, and He will prove Himself faithful to keep us together for His plans and purposes to be fulfilled in our lives. He is the reason He created you and I. 
      For His good pleasure, and to share it with us and all who believe.

8.      Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. Put them on anything or anyone else and you will sink. That is Gospel truth.

I could give a hundred more, but eight reasons for holding solid onto commitment is a good number to finish with. After all, 5 x 8 = 40, which by the Lord’s numbers means much “grace” (5) and “new beginnings” (8) to get to 40, which is “tried and true”. He has tried us, and He has proven Himself TRUE!

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

P.S. I want to give special thanks to my Dad (Louis J. Martin, who is living in glory with His Lord and Savior), my Mom (Lila Martin Parker); Laurie's parents Otto and Lorraine Unzicker, also dancing on the streets of gold; our children Josh, Ben, Hannah, Christien and their families; and all of our extended family (especially Bob and Mary Smith of Charleston, SC (one of my five sisters) and Laurie's sister Linda and Dick Skaggs!); and the dear, good friends whom have been there along the way these 40 years of life thus far. We love you dearly!!! 

And to you Kevin Grafton, my Best Man and my best friend to this day! (Photo below...)

The Martin Family - June 2017

Kevin Grafton and Steve Martin - my Best Man and still best friend.
Photo from sometime in the past years. Maybe two decades. He would probably still beat me in tennis...

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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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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 - in the Year of our Lord 10.08.17 - #322  – “Commitment”

If He Had Not… Now Think On This by Steve Martin

If He Had Not…

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way.” (Psalm 37:23, NASU)

One of my recent Now Think On This messages was entitled The What Ifs. It has been one of my most read and shared ones. It is because we often find ourselves thinking about the “what ifs” in life, don’t we? But then, on the other hand, how often do we consider the “if He had nots” that I believe are just as important, if not more so.

As you look back on the road you have taken in life thus far, where would you be if the Lord Himself had not intervened in your life? What would have happened if His Almighty hand had not guided you to take that one specific step, or prevent you from taking one that would have had serious consequences?

During my first and only year of college (no degree here), I had become engaged to a sophomore who wanted to be an English teacher in Iowa. I wanted to be a missionary in Africa. As you guessed, the engagement did not last long. She wasn’t going the way I felt led to go. But two years later, I met the one who would be my life mate, and take the road the Lord had planned for the two of us, and yes, the kids and grandkids that followed. If He had not intervened…

I think back on that decision He led us to make when I left a well-paying, next rung-on-the-ladder VP job in Michigan in 1987. Moving our family then to the southern end of Florida, accepting a financial position with an international Christian ministry, was not the typical way to go for a 33 year-old with wife and four kids. Following that path had me help lead three ministries over the next 24 years with the administration and financial skills He has gifted me with. If He had not directed…

Where would you be today if you had married that one whom you knew deep down was not His choice? What would have happened if He had not sent you the wisdom of another, to give you scriptural advice in your decision?

If He had not closed that door to the one job you thought you desperately needed, because He knew you were to be at another, to bring His light into a dark place? Where would you be now?

If the Lord had not enabled you to escape that addiction gripping your life, whether it be drugs, alcohol, pornography, anger? What sorry state would you still be in?

If Jesus had not saved you from hell, your eternal life would end up there.

There are many situations that the Lord has not only protected us from, but even more so are the several times He has led us down the path of the narrow one. Those paths we have taken, knowingly and unknowingly.

For all those times when He intervened, He is worthy of our thankfulness and eternal love.

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, Hungary, 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 Year of our Lord 02.20.17 - #276 – “If He Had Not…” – Monday 9:30 am

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