Now Think On This - Steve Martin: stones

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Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Stones - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Stones

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

'These are the things which you should do: speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for peace in your gates.” (Zechariah 8:16-7, NASU)

Have you ever been hit by a stone? Hurts doesn’t it. As a little kid, we’d throw smooth, flat stones across the still pond, hoping to skip them two or three times. If we ever made over five skips, that was a bit deal. But if you accidentally threw one amiss, and it hit someone, then the scream came. Yes, it hurts.

As grownups, we tend not to throw literal stones anymore, unless the scarecrow is trying to eat the vegetables out of the backyard garden. But we do still throw stones, only these ones can hurt more than a real one when it hits another. These are the verbal or written “stones” that can be very harmful, even deadly when viciously tossed at another. Bullying has received more attention in these days, given the predominance of social media. Even fake news has gotten into the picture, especially in our political climate. Some very vicious stones are being thrown wide and far.

Now I know that it has been the attitude of church leaders over the past decades not to get involved in local, state and national politics, primarily out of fear. Fear of whom? Those in our government politics. And yet we are told to be involved, as Jesus commanded us to be “lights in the world”. So yes, we must get involved.

Letting our voices be heard is necessary, going outside our four church walls, if we are to be as salt or light in anything we move about in, within the society we live in. Christians must speak up. We must let our truthful words be spoken and heard before we are silenced for good.

Coupled with prayer, which is of vital importance, we are to be involved, for the sake of all in authority, and for those they rule over.

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2, NASU)

With prayer as the first action in lifting up those serving in politics, the next step is to put action to those words of supplications.

The many battles going on in our nation’s capital, Washington D.C., involves all of us, whether we want to admit it or not. The actions of the elected, and even those appointed must be noted and paid attention to by Christians. We cannot sit idly by and let the ungodly, unrighteous, or unlawful ones take over. We have been given the responsibility to know and be about the Father’s business, in seeing His kingdom come about in all the realms. We have the truth. Let us speak it boldly and confidently.

As stones are being thrown every which way in the chambers and halls of our government institutions, let us stand against the lies being slung at the righteous seeking to represent the good of our nation and the people. With the Holy Spirit working in and through us, let us speak up and make our influence known while we yet can.

We are called to be living stones, ones that build up and not tear down. May our actions bring life and protection to those who are having hurtful stones slung at their character and honor. May we speak up with the wisdom and knowledge we have been given through our Lord’s Word, and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

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Now Think On This #352 - in the year of our Lord 09.18.18 – “Stones”, Tuesday, 11:30 am

Friday, November 3, 2017

Milestones - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Milestones

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“Then Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar.” (Genesis 31:45, NASU)

We all have milestones in our lives. Those special days that come and we note them in special ways. We commemorate what has happened, who has done a tremendous thing, or an accomplishment has come about that we want to remember. These have touched our hearts with joy, and we want to remember the good that we have experienced. And sometimes they were a time of sadness, that our minds will recall years later, lest we ever forget.

On many occasions the good Lord of Israel spoke to His children, instructing them to set up stones, build an altar in fact, on a specific spot. This location would be marked, for themselves, their children, and the grands that followed behind. They would have a place to come back to, in order to remember that which had been done, most often miraculously, on their behalf.

This would be a place where a life moment, a unique notch on the timeline of their lives, etched in stone, and left behind to always note the crossing they had just come through. He wanted them to leave a memorial, a marker on that exact location, so they could look back upon it years later, and again rejoice in His faithfulness in getting them to that point.

(Photo: My hand in the creek bed where David most likely collected stones and killed his enemy, Goliath. Israel May 2008).

After seeking, searching, going after the reward set before us, and then having reached that point, we too must place a stone for memory’s sake. We must note that an achievement has taken place. We will want to recall later exactly what the Lord did in our life then - enabling us to get through it all, to finish that portion of the race, and then enabled to receive the hard-earned reward awaiting each of us who have pressed on to the finish line.

Through it all, by never giving up, never quitting, defeating those days of discouragement that come to all, all the time determined to do what it takes to get through that hour, that month, those years. And when it is accomplished, we set down the milestone right there. Later on, we will be able to look back and say, “Yes, the Lord brought me through that. He was there, all the times, holding my hand, carrying me often, encouraging me along the path. I got to finish line in the race He had set before me.”

Today, look back and think of the milestones you have laid down, knowingly or knowingly, and give thanks to the Lord Jesus for what He has done in your life.

Remember those times when you thought you just couldn’t get through another day, and yet you did. He brought you through.

Remember what you said, when you stood before that mountain, and spoke out loud, “I just can’t cross this one!” And then you found yourself on the other side, carried on the wings of the angels He sent specifically to you, to get you there on the other side.

Recall the people He sent your way, who gave an encouraging word at just the time you really needed one; who wrote a heart-touching note or simply sent a text, that helped you do it one more time, when before you had told yourself you couldn’t do it one more time. But now you did. You made it, and now you can leave that stone of remembrance.

“I am trusting You My God. I am trusting You my God,” sings Jason Upton in my earphones right now. Yes, the ultimate act of worship – trusting the One Who enables, Who gets us through, Who instructs us to leave a milestone, helping to recall what He has done. He knows there will be times when we will need to look back at that time, that place, and say once again, “Yes, He is my Savoir. He brought me through it again.”

“For Adonai is good, his grace continues forever, and his faithfulness lasts through all generations.” (Psalm 100:5, Complete Jewish Bible)

Trust in the Lord. Call on His name. Trust and believe in Him today, tomorrow, until the very end. And then lay down that milestone and say with all your heart, “We did it, Lord. You brought me through. You helped me finish this race.”

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

P.S. I mark this day as the one when I retire from my accounting job, the last leg of this race, completing 52 years of serving in organizations, companies, and Christian ministries. I have finished this race, and am now ready to start the new one set before me! Yeah God!!!

The following letter is from my good friend at work, Meir Jones. Thank you, Meir, for your very encouraging word! Ahava my friend!

Cheshvan 11, 5778

Steve –

May this new journey you’re taking, lead you to amazing heights of Shalom!

From the first day, I walked into this new role of work and met you, I knew we would be great friends; one might say kindred spirits.

It’s not often, one meets a kind soul that encourages and befriends within the business world. You, my friend, did both!

May the laughter we shared, continue to fill the days and hours, while you do His work.

Keep smiling and know all is well.

Shalom, Meir

Meir Jones, Steve Martin - Charlotte Center City Partners Oct. 26, 2017

Gift from my Greek lady boss, Eleni Saunders - Charlotte Center City Partner

Oct. 31, 2017 Charlotte, North Carolina USA

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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.