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Wholeheartedly
A lot has been said and written about Joshua, son of Nun, in the Old Testament. He was the disciple of Moses, trained and prepared to take the Promised Land after the 40 years in the wilderness following the Hebrews departure from Egypt.
But not so much is ever preached on or spoken about Caleb, the other one of the two spies, from amongst the 12, who only brought back a good report of the land they were to possess, along with Joshua.
As we look to see who Caleb was, those of us who have had a good bit of ground pass beneath our feet over the years can identify with this servant of God.
“But as for My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring him into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it.” Numbers 14:24
In Joshua 14:14 it says of Caleb, “Therefore, Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he followed the Lord God of Israel fully.” Or wholeheartedly.
Caleb had “a different spirit”. He had followed the Lord fully, as best he knew how. It emphasizes in Scripture again later that “he followed the Lord God of Israel fully.” Again, wholeheartedly.
That takes some doing. It means he walked faithfully for many decades with the Lord, now being in his 80s. He wasn’t playing the game, “one foot in, one foot out, shake it all about”. He learned the Lord’s ways, gave it his all, and received the reward in the end.
The promise was then received after the faithfulness held to the end. “I will bring him into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it.” Numbers 14:24
Wholeheartedly means exactly that, with your whole heart. It means making up your mind to do something and sticking to it, giving it all you have until you don’t have anything left. Even as it was said of another, “He poured Himself out.” (Isaiah 53:12, NASB)
This is as one I want it to be said of, “He gave it all he had until the end, when his time was up.”
I hope that is, or will become, your desire too.
Ahava and Shalom,
Steve Martin
Fathers and Their Children
A promise from God the Father that we will see in the end times, the last days, is the Lord working in the lives of families, especially the fathers and their children.
“He will turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and strike the land with complete destruction.” Micah 4:6, NASB
It sometimes grieves me, or maybe better worded “troubles” me, when you see men and women on TV, or after a big event, and they thank their mother only. For far too many, it is because the father had little or no impact on their growing years. And may be totally out of their life even now.
Or the dad was so focused on his purpose to provide material things that he didn’t or couldn’t give the time his kids so much longed for with his presence.
It is good for the blessed moms who many times raised the kids alone with probably an absent husband and dad. But a very sad heartache and lost life for the dads and their kids.
Knowing what the Lord says is always true, and I truly believe Him, “He will turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the hearts of the children back to the fathers.”
That day is fast approaching, if not having already started.
Bring it on, Lord!
Ahava and Shalom,,
Steve Martin
Shabbat or Saturday?
For centuries, since God the Father created the earth and rested on the seventh day, the Jewish people have celebrated Shabbat (Sabbath day).
The rest of the world calls it Saturday, which according to Gemini is named after a Roman god.
“The word Saturday has a unique origin compared to the rest of the week. While most days of the week in English are named after Germanic or Old Norse gods (like Thursday for Thor), Saturday retains its roots in Roman mythology.
Etymology Breakdown
• Latin Roots: It comes from the Latin Saturni dies, which literally translates to "Day of Saturn."
• Old English Transition: In Old English, this became Sæturnesdæg.
• The Deity: It is named after Saturn (Cronus in Greek mythology), the Roman god of agriculture, liberation, and time.
Hmmm.
Makes one think which god we will follow.
God the Father, the Living God of Israel, is the One I seek, know, and walk in His ways.
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin
Who Am I?
Men in general tend to hold back when called upon to do as the Lord told them to do. Moses is a case in point.
“But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?” Exodus 3:11, NASB
All kinds of excuses will come to the surface as to why we can’t do it. “I am too old, too young, not enough time, why pick me?”
“Let someone else do it!” (A favorite among men, even if not said aloud. Especially if they are “retired”.)
Paul even spoke to the young men, Timothy in particular, “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” (I Timothy 4:12, NASB)
Maybe we should act like Mary, when the Lord called her to do something beyond her “known” ability?
“And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38. NASB)
Men, it is time we sought the Lord, hear His voice, and take our place as we have been called to do.
Who am I? The one who the Lord has assigned for His specific job to be done, and you specifically, are the one to do it.
Ahava and shalom.
Steve Martin
Warp Speed
When Star Trek burst forth on the TV screen on Sept. 8, 1966, we were fascinated by the other-worldly characters. For many, Spock, with the pointed ears and “I will never smile” candid trait, became our intelligent hero, counseling Captain Kirk on what dangers to expect ahead.
With his special hand gesture, the Vulcan salute, along with “live long and prosper” (having Hebrew origins), Spock and the captain enjoyed the end of each harrowing adventure, with Kirk often saying, “Warp speed ahead Scotty.”
Do you realize how many months have already passed this year, as we too are seeing everything speed up in time? “Warp speed ahead” these days holds more weight in reality than they did 60 years ago. (Yes, Star Trek has been around six decades already.)
The prophet Daniel got it right when he wrote what he was told to, telling us in Daniel 12:4, “‘This is a confidential report, Daniel, for your eyes and ears only. Keep it secret. Put the book under lock and key until the end. In the interim there is going to be a lot of frantic running around, trying to figure out what’s going on.’ (The Message)
Jesus Himself said in Matthew 24:42-44, “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But ]be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
For this reason you must be ready as well; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.” (NASB)
If we think we have time to just live as if time will never end, I think we best be aware that time is quickly passing by more than we are aware.
We need to give it all while we have the time, for the time will come when we don’t have the time.
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin
Message April 23, 2026
Challenges
Daily. Weekly. Monthly. Seemingly ongoing, yes?
Life has challenges so we look to another other than ourself. So we understand our dependence on the Lord and not in our own abilities and strength.
Having been to several foreign countries, coming from America, I have witnessed the daily pressures others have to live under. Though many in these nations see “you American” as rich and proud, and can despise us, His heart, and mine, is to encourage them where they are at.
Having just spent two hours on a Zoom call with a friend in Pakistan, I truly cannot fathom the pressure he endures as a believer in a Muslim country. And then as one who stands strong for Israel and the Jews makes it even more challenging for him.
John 17:14-16, “ I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”
I often say that the Lord never promised us a rose garden, but He did promise to never leave us nor forsake us, and to walk beside us with His Holy Spirit to encourage us.
We know challenges and trials are just part of life. Knowing Jesus (Yeshua) has overcome them gives us the foundation on which to stand and do the same.
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin
