Guidance. What next?

Guidance

​It is amazing how the Lord directs our steps. We think we ought “to go this way” and then, as He did with Paul on his voyages, He gives us a new directive to “go that way.”

I believe He enjoys seeing how we will respond, and also to keep us listening to His voice and His authority in our lives.

And I know it refreshes the adventurous path we walk.

 Following His Holy Spirit causes us to “be on our toes”, anticipating His next directive. And when we see the results afterwards, our faith and trust in Him grows stronger and more assuring.

We can be so grateful of His ongoing care  He daily provides. It is like walking hand in hand. I am glad His hands are bigger than mine. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 is a foundational Bible verse for guidance, advising to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Enjoy the Colombian brew. Maybe try the whole grain bagel today.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

#Guidance #Bible #HolySpirit

Rocking Chair Days

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Rocking Chair Days

As the days, months, and then years go by, time doesn’t slow down. But in some sense we do. The physical just can’t keep up with the desires.

I once told my good wife, Laura Jean (aka Laurie) that even though our days may be numbered, it is not my anticipation to be sitting on our front porch reading a good book. As much as I enjoy that I believe the Lord has yet more for us to do.

Wives, mothers and grandmothers have that “dwelling” heart within them, to build “the nest”, secure the home place with warmth, love and comfort.

Guys, well, we are not as prone to do that. Personally I want more adventure - to get out and get going. At least while I still can!

As the world spins faster and faster it seems, and the years continue to speed by, I recall the Bible verse from Daniel which speaks of this time we live in.

“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Daniel 12:4

Times will continue speeding up the closer we get to the Lord Jesus’ return.

My prayer is that you and I will keep running the race to the end of His plan and purpose for us. To finish the race set before us.

The rocking chair on the porch is great. But as for me and my house, may we not just sit there and watch, but stand strong and keep on going to the very end.

Enjoy your blueberry bagel and hot Colombian dark roast coffee ( as I do),

Steve Martin in Charlotte, NC

P.S. Of course there are several men and women who love doing it all!

Disappointments

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We all have disappointments. Schedules get changed. Trips having spent months working on get cancelled. People leave as friends and we are left with a big hole in our life.

It’s not easy to just put on a “happy face”. So what do we do?

There are times when we will grieve, knowing that whatever caused the disappointment may come again or it may take awhile to recover from it. I believe that is a normal process, to draw us closer, not away from, the Lord Jesus.

When I was seriously praying about leaving a ministry that I had labored with for 14 years, the Lord instructed me to take a trip to Jerusalem. In fact, to the holy place of the Western Wall in the Old City where the Jews pray. 

After all the details had been worked out, I made it there. As I stood waiting at the Wall (Kotel in Hebrew), I placed my hands and forehead against it, grateful that I had heard and obeyed.

And the “flood waters” of emotion poured over me, as the Lord spoke softly, “Your years of service have not been in vain.” His heart of love was what I needed to heal the pain and make the decision I needed in this situation.

Draw near to the Lord with your disappointments. He will bring healing and renewed hope.

The Lord promises in James 4:9, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" (NKJV).

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

#disappointments #healing #hope #waiting #GodtheFather #Jesus

Keep On Keeping On

KEEP ON KEEPING ON

In days gone by, when the computer monitor was the big one with the large tube, barely fitting on your home desktop, I had taped on the side, printed on a 81/2” x 11” paper, this verse, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.“ Galatians 6:9, NKJV

It was a daily reminder to keep on keeping on.

The same old same old, the daily grind, can wear us out. We need encouragement. We need renewed strength. We need grace to start each day and see through to the end.

Whatever makes you wonder, “When will a break come?” remember that our Lord is the One able to cheer us, giving us the ability to complete the race set before us to the finish line.

“Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.“ Hebrews 12:1-2, NASB

Lord, bring us each renewed strength so we can keep on keeping on.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

#Keepon #keepingon #SteveMartin#loseheart#encouragement #Jesus 

The Good Lord’s Blessings on this St. Patrick’s Day!

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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

Availability

Availibility

There are two things that I have learned about our Father. (Well, maybe more but to keep to the subject..)

Being available. Being faithful. Those who adhere to these two character traits go far in their walk with the Lord.

But for this time we will focus on being ones who are available, who put the Lord’s request first and foremost.

You all remember the Gospel story Yeshua (Jesus) told of the wedding feast and how all the initially invited guests had an excuse whereby they would not/could not come. So the father of the bride (I liked that Steve Martin movie) sent out his servants to the “highways and the byways” to ask whomever, and then bring anyone who would come to the celebration.

I don’t want to miss out on any invitation the Lord offers me. If He wants a driver, I will drive. Lead worship? Count me in. Speak to that one next to me at the office? They need encouragement too.

And pray when the Holy Spirit says, “Pray” I will pray. Sometimes that is 3 am when He awakens you.

Be available. Say to the Lord, “Here I am. Send me.”

And He will. And the adventures will continue.

Time for a mug of hot Colombian dark roast, and don’t forget the blueberry bagel.

Available for Him and His plans and purposes,

Steve Martin

2 “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch out your tabernacle curtains. Do not hold back—
    lengthen your cords,   strengthen your stakes.

3 For you will spread out to the right hand and to the left. Your offspring will possess the nations
and will resettle the desolate cities.

4 Fear not, for you will not be ashamed. Nor cringe, for you will not be disgraced. For you will forget the shame of your youth, and you will remember the reproach of your widowhood no more.“ Isaiah 54:2-4, Tree of Life

#availability #gospel #Yeshua #HolySpirit #Lord