Morris Ruddick - a man to imitate in faith

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Morris, his wife Carol (now in heaven) and Steve in 2013.

Man of Faith

The apostle Paul calls us to imitate those who walk, and have walked, before us in the faith. I know two godly men who have done so. One is Derek Prince, whose ministry I served with for eight years. Another is Morris Ruddick.

“Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their way of life, imitate their faith.” Hebrews 13:7, NASB

I first met Morris, from Denver, Colorado, at a Kingdom Business Association (KBA) conference in Fort Mill, South Carolina, at least 15 years ago. Morris was one of the speakers, and after approaching him at his book table, we had a sandwich at Subway.

Listening to him speak of his US Marine days in Vietnam, and his later returning to teach, instruct, and build up the pastors as entrepreneurs, to care for their families and churches, was fascinating. When I ordered all his books published by then, teaching biblical and practical truths, his love for Vietnam, and Israel, impacted my life from that very beginning.

One thing that really impressed me about Morris was his ongoing, daily commitment to prayer every day during midnight and early morning hours. Being included on his prayer list meant a great deal to me. I believed him when he would continually tell me in subsequent emails about his commitment to those prayers.

I look forward to spending a few days with Morris at his home in May. Being with this man of faith, courage, and resolute to press on even in his 80s, I truly believe he has a great crown awaiting him in heaven. Probably more than one.

And he is not ready to go there just yet., as his mission continues here.

Ahava and shalom.

Steve Martin

P.S. Morris publishes regular messages of faith and training. See his website below.

(L-R) Steve Martin, Morris Ruddick, Bess & Larry Herzekow, David Peterman (Israel 2024)

Just a few of Morris Ruddick books. Available on Amazon and his website (see below.)

Morris and Carol in Vietnam.

Morris Ruddick: https://strategic-initiatives.org/our-team/

Immediately by Steve Martin

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"IMMEDIATELY by Steve Martin

How do you respond to the Lord when you know He is wanting you to do something? Is it immediately?

How did Paul and his team react? Let’s find out.

Acts 16:9-10, Tree of Life Version, "9 Now a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man from Macedonia was standing and pleading with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” 10 As soon as he had seen the vision, immediately we tried to go to Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to proclaim the Good News to them.“

In the Gospel of Mark, using the New American Standard Version, the word “immediately” is often used describing the response to doing what is asked to be done.

How often do we act in this manner? Are we not to “pray about it, fast, ask three people for counsel, wait until we get another word…?”

That is what we normally do. And when all that has been done, the Holy Spirit has left, seeking one who will do as asked.

I for one consider myself wise. I have learned to know the voice of the Lord, and though I do all those things listed above when I have heard Him speak, I know when I am to “go” and when I am to “wait, take it slow, get more direction” before jumping off the deep end.

But it is more adventurous to do what He asks one to do immediately. And you won’t miss the plane when it comes at the right time.

Ahava and Shalom,

Steve Martin

#immediately #obedience #faith #Jesus #obey #Bible

Mighty Men of God by Steve Martin

Mighty Men of God

​The Lord has a heart for men. He created us to be leaders, start families, explore the world and take His love to those who have yet to hear and know.

But men have lost their way. They have abdicated their roles while letting others take charge. Sometimes forsaking what they have been called to do while seeking entertainment, self-fulfillment and wallowing in self-love.

We need to come back and be men. We need to lead, instruct, overcome and have victory over anything that has taken us off the righteous path.

Men need to be men again. Not “mothered”, “pampered”, or “wimpy wimps.”

I like what Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has done to bring back our armed services as they were when the Greatest Generation lived. When the fight needs to happen, fighters are ready for the battle.

Phil Keaggy, gifted guitarist among the top of his day, had this song on his album in the 1980s. Men need to rise up once again.

David assembled his mighty men. We must rise up and do the same - for our families, our cities, our nation.

1. “Now David assembled at Jerusalem all the officials of Israel, the leaders of the tribes, and the commanders of the divisions that served the king, the commanders of thousands, and the commanders of hundreds, and the overseers of all the property and livestock belonging to the king and his sons, with the officials and the mighty men, all the valiant warriors.” 1Chronicles 28:1, NASB
   Rise up o men of God!
   Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

#mightymen #God #riseup

                    DAY & NIGHT!

Prophetic words bring encouragement

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Going to Christian conferences these days are not like what they used to be. Attendance is down as with hotel, travel, food and registration expense they can be costly.

But I went to one where our church, Antioch International Church in Fort Mill, South Carolina, is hosting the Christians For Messiah Ministries annual spring event.

With the first meeting being on the prophetic ministry, many of us in attendance received words of encouragement and some indications of what is coming. 

I believe in prophetic words and have always been encouraged by them. Even though the minister, Peter Kumar of Indian descent, can be hard to understand, I was encouraged by his words to me, and all my friend David Lauka.

Let Your will be done, Lord!

Ahava and Shalom,

Steve Martin

New book coming out…

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If you missed my online messages, or like having a book in your hand (I do!) then in a week you can. Only $5.95 in paperback soon on Amazon. 

Also Kindle e-book and audio book version.

Ahava and Shalom,

Steve Martin

A closed door? Wait for the open one.

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I was actually surprised at my deep reaction when the finality of it hit me.

My 14 years with an uptown Charlotte company, where I started as a “temp” in 2012, then became full time, and then repeated (4 in fact) returns to cover as they tried finding good help…was over.

When my wonderful wife Laurie and I spent three months as volunteers with Christian Friends of Israel in Jerusalem Oct. 16, 2015 - Jan. 12, 2026, I had told Charlotte Center City Partners that this was it with them. I cleaned my desk and left.

But to my surprise they called me back two weeks after my return home to Charlotte, and said they needed my help. In fact, the new CFO had saved and put back my photos on my former desk walls. Surprised indeed!

But all good things come to an end, so we are told, and the door has finally closed. They seem to have finally found good help.

Coupled with the closing this month of another place I had done accounting with for five years as a contractor, doors certainly have closed.

But as my good friend Mordecai had prophesied to me a month ago in home group, “Doors will be closing. But new ones will be opening.” (I call him the “Open Door” prophet.)

When, not if, you experience your closing of doors, know that our Faithful Lord has your back.

And be faithful where you are at until then. He wants to promote you.

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:31, NASB

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

#ClosedDoor #wait #Opendoor #messagebySteveMartin #faith #Jesus #courage #ChristianFriendsofIsrael #Jerusalem #CCCP #CharlotteCenterCityPartners #Mordecai,\ #faithfulOne #faithfulservant

Love Your God - sung by Alex G.

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LOVE YOUR GOD by Alex G.

 

A Jewish singer/songwriter