“You Would Think” by Steve Martin

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You Would Think

 

Now that the USA is out of the FIFA World Cup 2026, one wonders why, with such a large population of 349 million people, we don’t dominant every single athletic event there is worldwide.

 

Getting beat by a country with 11.9 million (i.e. Belgium) is a bit embarrassing. But not being a futbol fan to begin with (American college football is my game), there is a spiritual lesson in this. You may know where I am going already.

 

“But now God has arranged the parts, each one of them in the body, just as He desired. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 But now there are many parts, but one body.

 

 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again, the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 

 

22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor, and our less presentable parts become much more presentable…” 1 Corinthians 12:18-23 NASB

 

We are all not the same when it comes to certain features. How boring would that be? Neither do we have the same skills, abilities, or personalities.

 

The Lord created each of us for His purpose, and as we acknowledge that and appreciate what “each brings to the table” we will see the hand of the Creator even more so with open eyes.

 

Personally, I don’t mind seeing the USA getting beat in some things.

 

Except when it comes to supporting Israel. And then I get real upset at those trying to destroy the Land that He has given to my friends the Jews.

 

Now they are ones who bring a big portion to the table, way beyond their size, having incredible creativity that is truly a “light to the nations” as they have been called to be.

 

“I am the Lord, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations…” Isaiah 42:6 NASB

 

 

Appreciate those the Lord gives you. The ones next door and those across the borders.

 

 

Ahava and shalom,

 

Steve Martin

(A Gentile by the way…)

#FIFA #Israel #church #Jesus #creation

Anticipation

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Psalm 37:4states: "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart" (NKJV)

This was the first Scripture verse I ever memorized, going back a few decades (ok, it has been 5 decades now.) When I read the Bible, after giving myself to believing in Jesus as my Lord and Savior, the Word of God meant more than just being the big white book on our family TV room endtable. (The one we bought from the door-to-door salesman back in the 1960s.)

Being raised a Roman Catholic, and going to Catholic schools from 1962-1973, walking with the Lord was not personal. Just something we did as part of growing up - hearing the Sunday sermonette of 15 minutes weekly, and going on with being a kid and then a teenager in those years.

But new life really meant new life. Having a true relationship with Jesus (Yeshua) changed the meaning of life, the purpose, and ongoing times of discovering His plans for the world, the country, and yes, me.

Anticipation was now becoming a way of life, knowing that as I gave myself to “delighting in Him”, wanting to please Him, He would give me the desires of my heart. After all, He is the One Who gives us those good desires.

That is the promise for you, too, every day. Anticipate the promises and watch them be fulfilled.

Ahava and Shalom,

Steve Martin

P.S. The restaurant was out of blueberry bagels yesterday. I had to settle for raisins and cinnamon. My next “go to.”

#Psalm374 #Scripture #anticipation #Catholicschool #Bible #relationships #Jesus #bagel #coffee