Days To Remember To Honor by Steve Martin

My wonderful wife, Laurie Martin​

Days  To Remember To Honor

Important days and occasions to annually remember, which honors the honorable, is a must for men and boys. As we show appreciation for the ones who have “been there, done that” on our behalf, we are showing thankfulness for who they are and sharing a reflection of God’s love.

Especially for birthdays, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, marriage anniversaries, and any extra time you want to do so – bless those who have given themselves to see you grow and mature. Show thankfulness and esteem for their life.

When we honor those we respect, it is honoring the Father Himself, who has given us these special people in our lives.

“Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise),” Ephesians 6:2 NASB

“Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged on the land which the Lord your God gives you.” Exodus 20:12, NASB

My own mother once told me, when I was a teenager, that for their wedding anniversary, it meant a lot to her when Dad blessed her, more so than us kids.

But what really blessed her was when her children blessed and honored her on Mother’s Day.

When you remember, honor, and make a special deal out of blessing another, you are indeed blessing the Lord who Himself established this important concept and days.

So…remember to honor others on their special days!

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

Choices We Make - message by Steve Martin

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Choices We Make

When the Lord woke me up early this morning (no, it wasn’t the late night snack), He had me answer the WhatsApp on my phone from Jerusalem. 

In the written conversation, the response came back to me when sharing about the choices we make, and where those decisions take us in the Lord.

Their response back, when I told of the purpose for this trip to Colorado…

“I hear that!!! I love both places but for us we can choose which. That is a different issue! My heart is split because of family…period.” She knew the cost which she had chosen to pay, the one to hear and obey.

My come back, “The Lord blesses us for the choices we make. Difficult choices but great rewards.”

After writing that I tried going back to sleep (1 am) but the Holy Spirit then spoke words from His Word to me as I lay there. So I got up to look up the full Scripture.

“Peter said, “Behold, we have left our own homes and followed You.” 

And He said to them, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children for the sake of the kingdom of God,  who will not receive many times as much at this time, and in the age to come, eternal life.” Luke 18: 28-30, NASB

That was a tough response to hear regarding the deep, heart known statement Peter had just said to the Lord Yeshua (Jesus).

In some ways, I think Peter’s wife would have desired a different answer from Jesus, as her heart and life were tremendously affected by Peter’s decision to follow Him as he had already chosen to do so. (I can picture it  now in The Chosen episode.)

Our choices will always affect those closet to us. So what will we do?

You have already made choices. In the late 1980s a pastor in Michigan spoke boldly in his message, “A choice you make today may not seem as not a big deal,, but that decision you make determines where you will be in 20-30 years from now, however small or large.”

And so He continues to direct our steps, if we continue to make the hard choices after His heart is known. But the reward is great!

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

Rocky Mountain High - as only our Lord can do.

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Beautiful daily work that the Living God shares with us from His Heart. 

We love You, Lord!

Steve Martin on Colorado

Take Your Breathe Away

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Takes Your Breathe Away

We landed in Denver, Colorado yesterday afternoon, David Lauka and myself. We had flown from Charlotte, North Carolina, to visit friends from decades ago, and new friends we met who are also involved with Christian Friends of Israel in Jerusalem.

Waking up in the middle of the night (not abnormal) I found myself thinking I was being suffocated. And then I realized I was 8,000 feet higher above sea level than being at home.

No wonder! The air was thinner and my lungs seemed to not get enough of it.

When the Lord transitions us from one location to another, one home to another, or one job for the growth to take part in another, we adjust. He has made us capable of doing that, as He works through us to accomplish His good desires.

Sometimes it literally takes your breathe away. And then to see His beautiful creation in the midst of the change.

Keep up the good work, Lord!

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

Conifer, Colorado (SW of Denver)

Early in the morning

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If we seek the Lord He will be found.

Spend time with Him early and you will know His presence the rest of the day.

Ahava and Shalom,

Steve Martin

Time Out

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Time Out

When something unexpected happens and it forces you to “take a time out” I think the Lord has more planned. He wants you to slow down (as He seems to speed things up!) to see the bigger picture.

When I broke my shoulder (three fractures of the scapula) during a church men’s weekend retreat, with less than a half hour to go before the entire gathering ended, it forced me to move around less and pray more.

(By the way, let it be inscribed in the scrolls…we won the “Crocker” game. Same play as baseball but using a soccer ball.)

One can pray while on the move, as the Word says to pray without ceasing, but when we rest our feet to allow our minds to catch up, that does seem to have more distinct results.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NASB

I am grateful for the Lord’s grace and mercy in our lives. Where would we be without Him? I for one cannot imagine that.

Ahava and Shalom,

Steve Martin

“What Are You Made Of” - message by Steve Martin

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What Are You Made Of?

Have you ever found yourself looking at another person and asking, as I often do, “What is their history? What were they like when they were young? What are they made of now?”

Do you wonder the same?

As the Lord considers each of us, for the completion of His plans and purposes, I think He asks (even as He already knows, being God) what are we made of?

Coupled with that is the foundation we have built on in our lives, from which upon we do what we do.

And what foundation have we built on? Will it sustain us when trials and temptations come, as they surely have and will? Can that foundation position us to do what He intended for us to do? Will it stand strong when the forces of the world come against us, in both the natural and spiritual realms?

Derek Prince, whom I have often written in my messages, was one of the best Bible teachers the Lord has given us in this past century, known, among other things, for his foundational teachings.

Based on Hebrews 6, the basic, solid teachings of the Bible have to be understood and practiced by believers, by His disciples, if the Lord’s fulfillment in our lives will be accomplished.

“Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the ]Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and about the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do, if God permits.” Hebrews 6:1-3, NASB

In addition to these very foundational bricks in our “building”, how often do we pray beyond the words, “Help me God?”

How regularly do we study, or even read, His Words given to us, from Genesis to Revelation?

When do we seek to build His kingdom rather than just our own?

Men and women have been called to be disciples, not just ones who have gotten “saved” and then going from that starting point and live for themselves.

We must be His disciples, not just His  children.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin