Pieces of the Puzzle - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Pieces of the Puzzle

Steve Martin

“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,  in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22, NKJV)

Prophetic songs and words are a gift the Lord Jesus shares with His Body of believers, and also non-believers for that matter (1 Corinthians 14). It is another way He speaks what is on His loving heart, calling us to hear His voice, to hear and obey. In addition to His Written Word, the Logos - the Torah, Bible, Scripture – this Rhema is to edify and build up His beloved Church (Iglesias, congregation).

Rob Critchley album from the 1990's

There have been several times when the Lord would use this vessel, me, to bring such a song or word to the gathered during a meeting. I know He is wanting to speak through me when I get this sense of movement in my stomach, almost as if a stirring or bubbling is taking place, to let me know that, yes, He has a word He is wanting me to share, and His Holy Spirit is giving me the “heads up.”

Then I get a word or two. Not a sentence. Not a paragraph. Sometimes a “picture in my mind.” But most often just a word or two, so I have to step out in faith before the rest comes.

Occasionally, when I am not quite sure if it is His Holy Spirit or not acting upon me, I will sit (or stand, being it typically happens during a worship time) and sometimes “argue” with His Spirit. “Is this You? Is this me? I don’t want to make a fool of myself and get up, stand before the people, and then speak out of my own being.” I may continue the conversational back and forth in my brain with something like, “OK, if it is You, then have Chuck (Chuck Smith is the more mature gifted prophetic one at Antioch International Church in Fort Mill, South Carolina were my good wife Laurie and I are members of) come over and ask if I have a word. 

But that generally doesn’t happen. In fact, it never has.

(Chuck had earlier delivered a prophetic word in the worship time, which was very encouraging. Listen here: Jesus is with you in the fire.)

Chuck Smith delivering his prophetic word, "Jesus is with you in the fire."

So, on that cold, rainy, early March Friday night, during the AIC Night of the Worship time, in The Barn (formerly the Heritage USA/PTL Barn) where the Antioch congregation meets, I carried on this debate with the Lord, for at least five minutes, when I sensed something was coming. Finally, in obedience, I went to Chuck, who was leading the meeting that night, and sitting in the 2^nd row to my right, and said I felt I had a word to speak. He asked what it was, and I gave a short sentence or two.

He said, “Let’s go” and we walked to the podium while the worship song, continued led by his wife Trista, which was in an instrumental phase.

I motioned to Toni Bogart on the keyboard to keep playing as she had been, flowing beautifully in the Holy Spirit’s leading, while I waited just a short time. Then this is what the Lord spoke through me, as I sang through the mic, “The Spirit of the Lord has come. The Spirit of the Lord has come.” Repeatedly, in harmony with the worship teams’ instruments.

Then He had me share this. As best as I can remember.

“I am bringing My people together, from all over, to be fit for My purposes. Even as the pieces of the puzzle are placed in the proper location on the table, so too am I bringing this one and that one, from here and from there, to be joined in unison, fitted together, to work alongside each other. I am taking this one, I am taking that one. I am bringing them here at this time. I am working out My plans, and as you see it happening, know that it is Me doing it.”

Once I had finished sharing these words I walked back to my seat. My heart was still racing a bit, as it usually does after giving a prophetic word.

I knew the Lord was doing this. I can physically see Him bringing ones together to complete the puzzle in this place. Some are part of His restoration, those who once walked with Him and His people from decades past. Some are newly saved. All will be used to carry His saving gospel message to the local cities, states, and nations. That is His very heartbeat in this hour.

He is doing it in other places too. Not just here, but everywhere among those willing to be a part.

Even so in Israel, we are seeing the return of the Jews making Aliyah (returning, going up).

He is building the foundation, the walls, the rooms, the entire “house of the Lord”, in order to have a place for the mass numbers of people that will be getting saved from this corrupt world in these days that are certainly coming and even so are already here.

Are you in the right place? If not, are you willing to seek Him, and ask Him to fit your piece of the puzzle, yourself, in the place that He already knows that you, and your family, need to be?

Seek Him. Ask of Him. Let Him know it is in your heart too to be part of what He is doing, and you are willing to do what it takes.

Don't be left out. Get in. After all, you only have one life to live. Live it according to His purpose for you. His heart is so strong to let you know where that is and to fit you, together with others, in the beautiful puzzle He is putting together.

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.

  

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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.) 

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 

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Now Think On This #398 - in the year of our Lord 03.09.19 – “Pieces of the Puzzle” – Saturday, 7:30 am

What Once Was Dead - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

What Once Was Dead

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“Not long after that, Jesus went to the village Nain. His disciples were with him, along with quite a large crowd. As they approached the village gate, they met a funeral procession — a woman's only son was being carried out for burial. And the mother was a widow. When Jesus saw her, his heart broke. He said to her, "Don't cry." Then he went over and touched the coffin. The pallbearers stopped. He said, "Young man, I tell you: Get up." The dead son sat up and began talking. Jesus presented him to his mother.

They all realized they were in a place of holy mystery, that God was at work among them. They were quietly worshipful — and then noisily grateful, calling out among themselves, "God is back, looking to the needs of his people!" The news of Jesus spread all through the country.” (Luke 7:11-17 THE MESSAGE)

The mom had lost her only son. Her husband had already died. That could have been many years ago. She may have had a daughter or two left in this world, but the one she was really counting on, her only son, whom she had put her faith in to provide support for her in her old age, was no longer. He too was now dead.

What you thought was dead, is dead. It had been here but now it was gone. Does that pretty much say something about something in your life?

You had a dream. Looks like it won’t ever happen. As far as you are concerned, it might as well be dead, and for all practical purposes it is gone for good.

You had a job. They cut the workforce in half. You were part of that half.

The one you loved in your youth, the one who promised to be there 10 years later, yes, even “until death do you part”…they left for another last summer. Now you have no one and are alone.

Just like that mother.

All around us we see death. The economy is collapsing. The society is decaying faster than we ever realized it would, or could. What we once thought was solid rock to stand on has already been shaken. The thrill of life is now buried in a grave. Dead and gone.

If Jesus wasn’t in the world, the world would have no hope. If Jesus doesn’t come now and walk by us, what was dead will remain dead. There is no resurrection power except His resurrection power. God is God, and He alone can restore the broken hearted; the lost and not yet found; the one on their way to the burial ground ready to be put six feet under.

But the good news is that Jesus, Yeshua, is alive and well on this planet earth. (Thank you Hal Lindsey for sharing your book in the 1970’s.)

“When Jesus saw her, his heart broke. He said to her, "Don't cry." Then he went over and touched the coffin. The pallbearers stopped. He said, "Young man, I tell you: Get up." The dead son sat up and began talking. Jesus presented him to his mother.” (Luke 7:13)

Jesus’ heart was broke. He had deep compassion for this mom. He knew that the one being carried away from her, this her only son, was dead and on his way to the final burial place. So He stopped and did something about it. For her sake.

Jesus has compassion for you. What you thought was dead, buried, and never to be seen again can be resurrected by Him. What you thought was finished, He will bring back, because He has compassion. Because He knows the need. Because He alone can bring back to life what was really dead.

Jesus is telling you, “Don’t cry.” Even as He spoke to the young man to get up, and then gave him back to his mother, He is speaking to you.

 “Get up. It is not over!”

God is back, looking to the needs of His people. He will visit you in this time of need. Even as God the Father gave His only Son for you and me, He has come to you for life, and not death.

What once was dead will become alive again. Your Father in heaven, Who will touch you where you are at today, has that power, and love, to do that for you. And He will.

Call on His Name. Believe Jesus.

So think on this, with the compassionate love of the Lord,

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 bless the families that we do 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: LoveFor 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 01.21.16 - #236 –“What Once Was Dead” – Thursday at 4:30 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

Heritage & Restoration - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Heritage & Restoration

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain which is your heritage, the place, Adonai, that you made your abode, the sanctuary, Adonai, which your hands established. Adonai will reign forever and ever.” (Exodus 15:17-18 Complete Jewish Bible)


Heritage is an awesome reality in the Lord. It is having a history to look back on, live with in the present, and then go forward into the future. What a great gift to us from the Lord – for those who know Him.

To realize what our heritage is in the Lord, and then to experience that which He has passed on down to us, is simply grace and mercy. To comprehend what has been received through the Jew and Gentile believers, found not only in our Bible, the Holy Scriptures, but also displayed in all of history - the Judeo-Christian culture, our spiritual education, and much more given to us - what we have in Jesus (Yeshua) is beyond what our minds and hearts can understand in this age.

For heritage found in the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, we are indeed blessed people.

In 1985 I first heard of Heritage USA, located just south of North Carolina in Fort Mill, SC, by watching this guy named Jim Bakker and his wife Tammy Fae. Their PTL Network was carried on our local East Lansing, Michigan TV channel. I remember having to record the daily show on a video tape as it aired at 5 am in the morning, when it was rebroadcast, in order to view it later that night, or whenever I had time. By the end of the year we had bought three Lifetime Memberships to Heritage USA, as they were called – two for us and one for a ministry family living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at the time.

This particular ministry couple “swore” they never would use the membership. But the Lord knew what plans He had for them, and in 1994 they “just happened” to move their ministry to Charlotte. In 2001 they then bought Fort Hope, the 21 acres Jim Bakker and Heritage USA had once owned to rehabilitate homeless. I know. I was the Administrator!

Many do not realize the full story of what the heritage of Heritage USA meant to so many, but knowing what it did for our family, it was a real blessing from the Lord. Our three oldest kids even today have many good memories of the summer times we were able to spend on the property. (Our youngest, Christen, was just 4 months old when we last stayed on the former Heritage USA property. But she since then graduated from MorningStar's Comenius School of Creative Leadership, CSCL, in 2004, which now had educated many young people in the Lord on that restored land!)

When we moved from Michigan to Florida in August of 1987, the ministry had gone through a tremendous upheaval beginning that April, and it looked like the end had come, as we knew it. Within several years the 2000 acres, along with all the buildings and such, would be deserted.

The scoffers of Christianity, both "believers" and otherwise, had a grand old time laughing all the way.

Jumping ahead 27 years to 2015, a good portion on the former Heritage USA property has now gone through a tremendous restoration. No less than seven churches/ministries call the former property their home. That number includes MorningStar Ministries (Rick Joyner), Antioch International Church (Peter Wyns & Jess Enns), All Nations Church (Mahesh & Bonnie Chavda), The Movement (Lathan Wood), Fresh Fire (Todd Bentley), The Upper Room (Russell James), Vision For Israel (Barry & Batya Segal) along with other churches and small ministries. Having attended all of these churches (as well as served on the staff of three of the ministries), it is a great joy to see what the Lord has done.

As the old time Gospel song declares, “Look what the Lord has done!”

And as for Jim Bakker? Released from a prison cell in Minnesota after serving time for 5 years of the original 45 year sentence, he was left with absolutely nothing.

But in December of 2015, just prior to the celebration of his 76th birthday on January 2, 2016, he was declaring the Lord's Jubilee in his life. Jim was rejoicing in the Lord’s grand restoration process, as he continues to build a new ministry called MorningSide Ministries, near Branson, Missouri. Remarried now to Lori Bakker, with the PTL Network back on the air with his daily Jim Bakker Show, a complete restoration has come.

Now again with multiple acres of land, a beautiful hotel, retirement and rental cottages, a media university for young and old, barns for both gatherings and the cattle which graze on the Missouri land, and a new prayer chapel rising on the mountaintop – the Lord’s Mighty Hand of restoration is leaving yet another heritage for many, many believers.

It is great to see what the good Lord has done again. Restore, redeem, and give us heritage that can be found in Him.

As for me and my house, we are too enjoying the fruit of restoration that has come to the former property here near Charlotte. MorningStar Ministries, occupying 42 acres, with the Grand Hotel and more, is our home church. We are grateful for our church family. To see that which we sowed in faith 30 years ago, now reaping a bountiful harvest and leaving further a heritage for our generation and the others behind us, is of great encouragement.

The Lord Jesus is in the restoration business. He always has been, beginning with Adam and Eve, and now continues to move through all the nations, bringing salvation with restored relationships for many who will, with Him and His Father.

The wounded, the hurt, the abandoned – all can find hope and love in the family of God. He is preparing an end-time, the Bride of Christ, for our Messiah, our soon returning King.

No plans of man can stop the purposes and plans of our God. He will complete the full restoration of our heritage found in Him.

Thank you Lord Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus our Lord!

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 bless the families that we do 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 year of our Lord 12.31.15 - #227 –“Heritage & Restoration” – Thursday at 7:00 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

LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE FEATURED BOOK

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Signs Along The Way by Steve Martin

We are living in the last days, the times prophesied long ago, right before the Lord Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, returns. Even as He spoke to the prophets of old in Israel, continuing through Jesus’ time on earth, and with the early church, the Lord is fulfilling His promise. His Eternal Word that He would pour out His Spirit on all flesh, and we would prophesy. 

Prophesy comes in many ways – through the spoken word, signs, dreams, visions, tongues. All are used by the Lord to speak to His people, give them guidance along the way, and show His provision for the plans He has for us. As we walk along His path chosen for us, He desires to encourage and reveal His plans to us. He most certainly uses His Written Word. He also uses prophetic words. Here are a few that He has given to me. 

I am continually amazed at how He speaks, how He directs, and the assuring results of His guidance. We need the gifts of the Holy Spirit operating in these times. As the Bible says, He desires that all would prophesy, in order to assist believers in knowing His will, and speaking to non-believers that we serve an All-Knowing God, Who shows us the way. 

The gifts of prophesy, seeing signs and wonders, and experiencing His love through His fascinating methods is for all. I hope you are encouraged in seeking Him as you read these stores of how He moved in my life. 

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People


About Jim Bakker from his website: Jim Bakker

Home » About Us » About Pastor Jim

About Pastor Jim

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HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

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Pastor Jim Bakker is a pioneer of Christian Television. From humble beginnings, he rose to build one of the largest ministries in the world.

As a young man, Pastor Jim was called to “make Jesus real” to the world. During the golden era of television, he was divinely inspired on what medium he could use to do just that. He dreamed of a night-time Christian talk show-one that could display the format and quality of The Tonight Show hosted by Johnny Carson.

In 1966, his dream came true. While hosting “Come on Over”, a children’s show, on Pat Robertson’s fledgling Christian station in Virginia, Pastor Jim became the founder and host for the first Christian talk show – “The 700 Club”.

For eight incredible years, Pastor Jim hosted the ground-breaking variety show with the top ministers and singers of the day. Pastor Jim and his family later joined Paul and Jan Crouch in California to pioneer a new television ministry. Pastor Jim was the first President and a founder of Trinity Broadcasting Network, which today, still beams around the world with 24-hour a day Christian programming.

In 1974, Pastor Jim relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina to birth one of the most dynamic ministries the world has ever known-The PTL Club, The Inspirational Network, and a state of the art Christian retreat center called Heritage USA.

At the height of the ministry, there were 86 religious services held a week at Heritage USA. By 1986, Heritage USA was the third most visited destination spot, following Disney World and Disney Land.

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PIONEER OF CHRISTIAN TELEVISION

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Pastor Jim also pioneered Christian television in 52 nations as well as founding Heritage School of Evangelism, Heritage Academy and related schools. In addition to his many responsibilities at PTL, Pastor Jim authored more than ten books, and developed several special editions of the Bible.

In 1987, Pastor Jim Bakker resigned as President of PTL after a moral indiscretion he had committed seven years earlier that was brought to the public’s attention.

PTL was placed into bankruptcy by its new management and in 1989 Pastor Jim was indicted and sentenced to 45 years in prison on charges of overbooking the lodging space at Heritage USA.

Pastor Jim was re-sentenced in 1991 to 18 years and then later reduced to eight years in Federal prison. He was released on parole in 1994 after serving five years. On July 22, 1996, a Federal Jury ruled that PTL was not selling securities by offering Lifetime Partnerships in Heritage USA, affirming what Pastor Jim said since the very first day he was indicted. His case was overturned and the judge was dismissed from the case.

In 1998, while working in the inner-city ministry of the Dream Center of Los Angeles, Pastor Jim met Lori Graham. After an abusive marriage of years of substance abuse, Lori founded a ministry of women who were suffering the emotional scars from abortion. They married that year and have totally dedicated their lives to ministry.

In 2002, Pastor Jim and Lori were blessed with the happiness of expanding their family with five beautiful children from the inner-city of Phoenix where Lori had ministered for years. In that same year, Pastor Jim and Lori were offered the opportunity to move to Branson, Missouri to begin the Jim Bakker Show.

In 2003, sixteen years to the date that Pastor Jim had made his last broadcast from PTL, he and Lori launched their new television ministry from Branson, Missouri.

With the help of PTL Partner, Jerry Crawford, the ministry staff converted a bar/restaurant to a café/television studio called Studio City Café. Mr. Crawford’s marriage was healed at a seminar at PTL 25 years before and he took on a personal mission to help Pastor Jim launch his new ministry.

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THE JIM BAKKER SHOW

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The Jim Bakker Show is an hour-long daily broadcast that is aired throughout the United States, Canada, and the entire world through multiple broadcasts on Direct TV, Dish Network and other worldwide satellites.

The show is broadcast from a new Christian Retreat Center called “Morningside” located just outside Branson, Missouri. This 700-acre property is a thriving Christian community that also serves as the backlot for The Jim Bakker Show andmultiple other LIVE broadcasts.

The main building serves as the world headquarters for The Jim Bakker Show and related ministries. This building has an enclosed, Old World style Main Street that Pastor Jim has named “Grace Street” which has served as the broadcast studio. This building also houses Grace Chapel, the Fireside Cafe, and other shops as well as over 100 condos.

Pastor Jim is considered to be one of today’s experts on the Book of Revelation. Since prison, he authored, “I Was Wrong”, “The Refuge”, “Prosperity and The Coming Apocalypse”, and more recently “Time Has Come”. His message is one of grace and total restoration.

Millions relate to Pastor Jim and Lori’s testimonies of the redemptive power of love. If God can put Pastor Jim and Lori’s lives back together, then He can do it for anyone.

Restoration of a Relationship - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

 
Restoration of a Relationship

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

"But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. "Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.” 

(Acts 3:18-22, NASU)

The Lord Jesus is all about restoration – restoring those things that have been broken, that have been torn apart. His everlasting plan is for harmony among people, for us to get along, to accomplish His originally initiated purpose in each of our lives. He wants to see all things made new.

As the Scriptures declare, there is coming a time when He will restore all things. Times of refreshing are coming, when we are in the presence of the Lord. There is hope in Him.

He especially loves restoring relationships between people. There are many stories of just that in the Bible. Joseph was restored to his father and brothers. Jacob and Esau’s relationship became restored after many, many years apart. During that time, Jacob had feared for his life, but in the end, the two brothers were family again.

Our Father’s heart is for good, as He says in Jeremiah 29:11-14, 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.  

'I will be found by you,' declares the Lord, 'and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,' declares the Lord, 'and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.' (NASU)

We can see Him fulfilling that promise for the Jews, of restoring them to their land, as they come back to their promised land of Israel. Because of that happening right before our eyes, it is another reason we can trust Him to fulfill the rest of His promises. Even in our lives.

Each of us has a relationship or more that has been broken. A marriage that went bad after many years of clinging on; a father and his son, who no longer speak to one another; a mother and her now adult daughter, who live miles apart, wondering if the phone call or text will ever come from the other.

Even one-time good friends from church have experienced broken relationships. Whatever happened to them we wonder, as we recall that day they left out of dismay, or even anger. We expect that we will never see them again, or so it would seem.

It hurts. We feel that pain of not having those family and friends around anymore. We know the rejection that each one experienced, and yet we are not sure how to get it back together again. Do we even attempt to try? Do we really want to? What if we are only rejected again? Will it only increase the loss and heart’s pain we already have?

We are especially conscious of lost relationships during holiday seasons, or annual dates like a birthday, anniversary, or vacation times we used to celebrate and have together. Those once great memories of fun and happiness have now been replaced with loneliness, empty feelings, and thoughts of “Why?”

Can a relationship be restored? I believe they can. But it will take faith and courage on your part to begin the journey back. You may have to be the one to make the first move.

When in a prayer time recently, early one morning, the Lord brought back to memory a situation where I walked out, in haste, and a bit annoyed, from a relationship I had with another. I used the excuse of blaming it on a miscommunication with that good friend. So rather than get together and discuss the issue, I wrote an email to terminate my involvement with their ministry. I figured that that time in my life was up anyway. Besides, I had other things I wanted to accomplish.

But I was wrong in how I handled it.

So in repentance, and obedience to the Lord after He spoke to me during that prayer time, I sent an email to them, not sure how they would respond, if even they did. I wrote of my fault, and asked them to reconsider what we once had.

Thankfully they responded, and shared how they too had missed our friendship. The ice had been broken. Restoration was beginning.

Maybe the one you’d like to get back together with won’t initiate getting on the pathway back to where it was. Maybe they too are thinking as you are right now, it won’t happen. So maybe you are the one to make the first move anyway?

Ask the Lord to walk before you as you do make the attempt at restoration. His heart in the matter is right there for you. What a joy it will be when that relationship is restored.

It won’t be simple. They may totally ignore you. It may not happen overnight, and many attempts might just be needed. But what if you don’t try?

It is something to think about. I hope you do, and make that move back to restoration.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

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 sure could use your help to bless the families we do in Israel, India, Pakistan, Vietnam and the hurting ones here in the USA. Please give out of the abundance you have been given.

In May, 2016, my wife Laurie and I will be traveling to Israel to spend time with our friends. We support them in word and deed. We have our plane tickets in hand. We love Israel.

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.)

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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 12.12.15 - #218 –“Restoration of A Relationship” – Saturday at 7:00 am 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

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