Ahava Love Letters & Now Think On This: October 2013

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

"Hidden" - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

“Hidden”

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden

in a field. A man found it, hid it again, then in

great joy went and sold everything he owned, and

bought that field.” Matt 13:44 Complete Jewish Bible

Dear family of friends,

As the verse above says, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden. Hidden from whom? Hidden for what purpose? What does it have to say about you?

The Lord had the apostle Matthew, or emissary as the CJB version would say, add these spoken words of Yeshua (Jesus) as a parable telling of the value of finding the Kingdom of Heaven, and then selling all to obtain it. So it must be possible to obtain the Kingdom of Heaven for ourselves. But it will cost dearly of ourselves to have it. It will cost everything we have.

How many of us are willing to sell all – our current life, our job situation, our hopes and dreams – to get all that the Lord has for us? There used to be a time when that seemed common. Sell all you had, join the Jesus People or the charismatic movement, and live in the commune. I know I did in the late 1970’s.

You don’t hear too much of this generation wanting to become missionaries and “go to Africa”, or young ones leaving home to give their heart and soul to what Jesus has called them to do. There are the summer short-term mission trips, the Saturday youth group team outing to help needy church members, but rarely anymore do I hear of young people, college age young adults in church wanting to serve the Lord lifetime on the mission field, or join YWAM (Youth With A Mission.)

Or maybe I just am not seeing it, and the Lord is preparing a group of young people, future leaders, who are now “hidden” from my view, and many others.

I have hope in my heart that there are right now being prepared these who are going to give their all to serve His purposes. It seems like every generation has some.

Maybe you are in your late teens or early twenties; maybe you are “thirtysomething”, and longing for the Lord to move in your life. You want Him to respond to that stirring He put in your heart when you were ten, or 15. I promise you, He will. I am living proof of it.

It may take 10 or 20 years to happen, but His promises are true. While you may seem hidden, unnoticed, cast aside and somewhat useless in your own eyes and others, I tend to think that is because you are the Kingdom of Heaven material that He has sought for. When the Lord goes out in His field, looking for buried treasure that He already knows is there, He will already have paid the price, as He did on the cross, and take you as His own. The hidden treasure in the field this time is you.

Don’t grow weary in your current situation, struggling without hope and vision. Know that His plan for you is good. Hang in there, and you will see Him open doors that no man can shut. You will step out and walk in your calling. The world needs you, and He will be the one to complete His purposes for you.

Be encouraged young one.

Ahava (love in Hebrew) to my family of friends,

Steve Martin
Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc. truly appreciates your generous support. Please consider sending a monthly charitable gift of $5-$25 each month to help us bless our friends the Jews in Israel.

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858. Tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation.

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Ahava Love Letter #62 “Hidden”

Date: In the year of our Lord 2013 (07/24/13 Wednesday 10 pm in Charlotte, NC)

All previous editions of Ahava Love Letter can be found on my Blog:

http://loveforhispeople.blogspot.com

Monday, October 28, 2013

“Your Assignment” - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

“Your Assignment”

“and the young man did not put off doing what was asked of him, even though he was the most respected member of his father’s family, because he so much wanted Ya‘akov’ s daughter.” Genesis 34:19 (CJB – Complete Jewish Bible)

Dear family of friends,

Lance Wallnau has a unique way of sharing truth in a way that makes sense. When he speaks, I listen. Others do too.

He reminds me of how Bob Mumford taught God’s Word in the 1970’s and onward, for those who know Bob and experienced his words coming at you. Both he and Lance have such practical ways of delivery that I have come to really appreciate. If you haven’t caught my recommendation already of these two, I do encourage you to!

In a message I heard at a KBA gathering (Kingdom Business Association) at the MorningStar/Heritage International Ministries location in 2013, Lance spoke on our assignments as individuals. As I listened again to his heart stirring message, on the CD driving into uptown Charlotte to my accounting job, a crisp fall Monday morning at 6:15 am, the Lord continued to give clarity to my new assignment. His ongoing encouragement caused me to share this Ahava Love Letter with you.

Do you know your assignment?

Each one of us has been given a purpose, a plan, a gifting which fits together with the Lord’s purposes and plans of those He connects us with. Your “talents” and skills acquired, which are unique in the fact that there is no one else exactly like you, are given to fulfill His perfect plan in the nations.

Do you know what they are? Have you asked Him lately?

Over a period of two decades (literally – no “evangelistically” speaking here) I have received many prophetic words about what the Lord has called me to do. For about 30 of those years I literally denied it, thinking “That is not me.” My job and training had put me in one sector of the business/ministry realm, which I was at least somewhat comfortable in. (In case you are wondering, I was the Director/Administrator of three international ministries for a period of 24 years total. Administration, finances and conferences were my thing.) The prophetic words which I actually despised hearing always told me, “You are a teacher.”

In my denial of not being that, for I wasn’t a real student of the Bible, hadn’t memorized Scripture chapters over my growing years, let alone a lot of single verses, my brain thoughts convinced me that the job I was doing was it for the rest of my life. Even if I was not satisfied and fully fulfilled in doing that.

When I finally “Got it” in the heart, the teaching aspect of my calling, my assignment, started to blossom. I didn’t have to be the “Derek Prince” or the “A.W.Tozer”, or even a “Charles Spurgeon” in my lifetime. I could be me, just as the Father of All created me to be. And so my teaching gift is mostly that of sharing life’s experiences, and encouraging you to do the same in your gifting.

Our assignment here on this planet is simple. Do what the Father has put in your heart to do. You don’t have to be the rocket scientist if you are the graphic artist. Be the graphic artist you have been born to do to your fullest! Give it all you got, and learn more in the giving! Many will be blessed in your fruitful contribution to the Body of Christ, along with the nations who long to see His Creative working in their own lives.

If you are not sure yet of your assignment, your calling, your purpose, don’t be discouraged. The Lord has so much love for you that as you seek Him, He will reveal it to you. Walk in that which you know to do already. Be obedient in hearing His voice - in your prayer time, as you do your daily job, as you sleep at night and He speaks to you in dreams. Be encouraged that He wants to show you far more than we even think or know. He is the Faithful One. His fullness of faith will become yours.

Believe me, denial in your walk may last a while, but if your heart is to follow after the Lord Jesus with all your heart, His plan and purposes will be revealed to you.

And all of us will be on the receiving end of you walking in your assignment! Thanks!

Ahava to my family of friends,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858.

Please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless Israel with our humanitarian ministry. Tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation.

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Be sure to get my two books The Promise (CreateSpace/Amazon 2013) and Ahava Love Letters (Xulon Press, 2013). Both available through Amazon.com, Xulon Press.com, Barnes and Noble, plus other website book stores.

You can also order both books, The Promise (on Amazon.com for $7.19 plus $3.95 S/H) and Ahava Love Letters Xulon Press for $14.90, plus $3.80) direct from our office for $29 total. Please send your check to the address above. I will autograph all copies ordered through our office. (Hey, and please include a contribution for Israel too!)

Date: In the year of our Lord 2013 (10/28/13 Monday at 7:40 am in Charlotte, NC)

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“Support for the Household of Faith - In Israel” - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

“Israel Support for the Household of Faith”

“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” Gal. 6:10 NASU

Dear family of friends,

Since the founding of Love For His People, Inc. was established in the spring of 2010, our main focus and effort has been to bless the people of Israel, in both practical and spiritual ways. We have been called to be ones who stand for the Lord’s purposes in His Promised Land. Our voices, spoken through written social media and public events, has daily proclaimed that.

Having been to Israel 11 times since 1988, our connections in Eretz Yisrael (the land of Israel) have been strengthened, especially with Jewish believers. Friendships have been built. Encouraging them face to face continues. With our annual Ahava Adventures fall trips to Jerusalem and the cities beyond, we can see the Lord Yeshua’s (Jesus’) will being accomplished, first hand.

Several of you have been to Israel. Many more would love to go. My prayer is that your heart’s desire, which the Lord Himself placed within yours, will come about. And when you go, I want you to meet these whom we love. So you can too.

When the nations increasingly turn their backs on the people of Israel, we proclaim that our stand for them and their families remains stronger than ever. As we push forward in proclaiming the eternal purposes of the Lord Yeshua for His Land, our strength and encouragement He gives through us grows daily. We know what His Word says. We are committed to standing on that solid ground.

Please consider sharing a portion of your regular giving also to the work of Love For His People. The monthly financial support of four families in Israel through this ministry has been ongoing these first three years of our existence. One family of six (with another on the way!) receives a $200 a month gift from this ministry. Another work there received $100 monthly to help supply lunch food for school kids in the poverty districts. We know others who could and should be blessed with yours and our support.

Love For His People does not have a paid staff. Those who do the work you have seen on the social media have secular jobs to fund what has thus far been accomplished. We ask you to be a part of sowing into this good field. It is a good work.

There are many ways you can send your contribution today. They are listed below.

Thank you. Eternity will know of your heart’s love for His people.

Ahava to my family of friends,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858.

Use this link for safe online giving now: Love For His People - support link

If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available).

Contribution checks can be sent to:

Love For His People, Inc. P.O. Box 414 Pineville, NC 28134

Todah rabah! (Hebrew - Thank you very much.)

Date: In the year of our Lord 2013 (10/02/13 Wednesday at 6:40 am in Charlotte, NC)

Please us the Donate button on this blog. Thank you!

SAFE, ON-LINE GIVING TO LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE, INC. (OUR NON-PROFIT MINISTRY)

Sunday, October 27, 2013

“Angels & Entertainment” - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

“Angels & Entertainment”

“Let brotherly friendship continue; but don’t forget to be friendly to outsiders;

for in so doing, some people, without knowing it, have entertained angels.

Heb 13:1-2 CJB (Complete Jewish Bible)

Dear family of friends,

To my knowledge I have never entertained angels. Or even seen one.

The most recent time may have been, I might venture to say, when our ferocious, 14 pound Dachshund Zoe Girl martin, though not bigger than a fat rabbit, growled at something she must have seen in our home. With my “naked eyes” I couldn’t. But then she pretends to be the watchdog no matter what size the foe, or friend, she encounters, at first. As “they” say, when some encounter angels they tend to freeze up in fear. I probably would too. (Except I have Zoe nearby.)

I have always liked angels. Especially my guardian angel, whom I first believed in when I was little. Then when I “got bigger”, I thought it all was a myth. Just like Santa Claus and the tooth fairy became when I reached the pre-tween era. Now I have made full circle.

If the Lord Adonai says there are angels, there are angels. You know, “He said it. I believe it. That settles it.”

Why I am writing about angels in this 52nd edition of my Ahava Love Letters? Because I woke up again this morning, at 3:34 am to be exact (I missed the 3:33 marked by a minute!) and the Lord spoke the word “entertainment.” And so for the next five hours I thought He wanted me to share about all the time we humans spend on personal entertainment. As in watching TV episodes, movie blockbusters, attending dance halls, chasing the beach ball in the sand, or a day at the NASCAR track to see #24 win (hopefully.)

But as I sat down to write, His Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) spoke further in guidance, for us to consider the reality of “entertaining angels.”

Can He be saying that in these last days, we will become more aware of the angelic hosts all around us? Some of them are daily waging war in the heavenlies, as does Michael the Archangel in his protection over Israel. Or our guardian angels keeping watch over our steps, as the enemy and Adversary of our soul tries to daily bring discouragement, steal our joy, and take us down the wrong path? I think maybe so.

If Zoe sees another angel in our home (I hope she does!), I am going to ask the Lord that He open my eyes too, to see this mighty one of the Lord God of Israel. Or if one comes to my front door, whom I would be able to see in the natural, I want to be quick to acknowledge the purpose of his ministering mission. I want to know how to properly entertain him and receive the message he may be bringing.

Do they drink coffee? I’ll let you know.

Ahava to my family of friends,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc. truly appreciates your generous support. Please consider sending a monthly charitable gift of $5-$25 each month to help us bless Messianic Jews in Israel. You can send checks to the address below. Todah rabah! (Hebrew - Thank you very much.)

E-mail: loveforhispeople@gmail.com martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin and Love For His People

Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople and ahavaloveletter

Websites: http://loveforhispeople.blogspot.com www.loveforhispeople.org

YouTube: Steve Martin (loveforhispeopleinc)

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858. Tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation.

Ahava Love Letter #52 Date: In the year of our Lord 2013 (05/05/13 Sunday 9:30 a.m. Charlotte, NC)

“We Speak To Nations” - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

“We Speak To Nations”

“So I give thanks to you, Adonai, among the nations;

sing praises to Your name.”

(2 Sam 22:50 CJB Complete Jewish Bible)

Dear family of friends,

When my good wife Laurie and I went to China in 2002, we were representing Derek Prince Ministries, along with a small USA group smuggling in Chinese Bibles and Derek's teaching books. These particular treasured nuggets had been translated into Mandarin Chinese. In my personal carry-on I had also brought along the latest Integrity Music's CD of the Month.

The CD had come in the mail just a few days before we left on this adventurous journey, so I was as excited as ever to hear it. Now it had become the newest edition in my 14 year long subscription collection of Integrity's Hosanna! Music. (Thank you Michael Coleman for your leadership at Integrity!)

That specific praise and worship CD, then rotating in my portable player, was Lakewood's "We Speak To Nations". (IPods had just come out the year before. Steve Jobs' of Apple latest big tech craving was a bit above my budget.) The title song was also "We Speak To Nations."

As I sat on the 22 hour train ride from Guangzhou to Beijing, I played this song over and over again. The repeat button just stay on. And during that literal full day stretch of time, the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) made sure the sound and words would sink deep into my spirit. I am grateful He did.

During those long hours on the tracks (both train and CD - pun intended) I literally had tears dripping down my face, while I sat listening with ear buds on. I didn’t want to awaken the others as they slept.

The sound of the nations was calling to my heart.

We can speak to nations in many ways. These days it is primarily through social media. But even still, a main format can still be by singing, in person.

As worship leaders who love Jesus (Yeshua), and thus the nations, my wife and I are committed to sing in and to the nations. Our hearts and eyes are especially lazar focused on Israel, whom we especially love.

And...Lord willing too, we plan on taking the Ahava Love Band with us to Jerusalem in 2014 - to do just that – sing His praise and worship in Eretz Yisrael (Land of Israel)!

Maybe there will be other locations the Lord will send us to, in addition, as we speak to nations.

Ahava (love in Hebrew) to my family of friends,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

E-mail: loveforhispeople@gmail.com martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin and Love For His People

Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople and ahavaloveletter

Websites: http://loveforhispeople.blogspot.com www.loveforhispeople.org

YouTube: Steve Martin (loveforhispeopleinc)

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858. Tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation.

Ahava Love Letter #53 Date: In the year of our Lord 2013 (05/08/13 Wednesday 10:30 p.m. Charlotte, NC)

“Your Name” - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

“Your Name”

“Therefore Adonai Himself will give you people a sign:

the young woman will become pregnant, bear a son

and name Him ‘Immanu El

[God is with us].” (Isa 7:14 Complete Jewish Bible)

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Yeshua,

[which means ‘Adonai saves,’] because He will save His people

from their sins.” (Matt 1:21 Complete Jewish Bible.)

Dear family of friends,

The visit to the maternity ward last night caught me by surprise. The young couple, family friends of ours for over 24 years, hadn’t named their one day old son yet! I couldn’t believe it.

As I held “To Be Named Later” in my arms, I was asking the Lord to myself, “Is this “Isaac”? Could he be “Joel” (after his uncle), “Barney” (not the TV character); Jimmie #48…?”

Hey, maybe another Steven! (There are only 70 other Steve Martins in NC alone.) Probably just in the greater Charlotte area itself!)

Whom is this baby boy you have blessed us with, Adonai? What is his given name?

Do you know your name is probably your most precious possession that you have been given?

Think about it. You can have a special hairdo, and change it every week. You can put all kinds of ink on your body to make you stand out, but will be gone when your grave is all we see. You can even put on the latest fad to “keep up with the Jones’, or Robertsons’ now a days, to have that edge I guess and make your name popular, if that is what you consider important.

But your name. That is special, and I believe the Lord Himself gave it to you.

When our four kids (now full grown adults with kids of their own) were about to be birthed, both Laurie and I were involved in choosing their special names. In our attempt to get it right, we used the “Name Your Baby” book, checked relatives names, noted what was “popular” at the time. But in the end, we were led by the Lord in naming each of them.

Josh would be a leader. Like Joshua of Exodus.

Ben would be the “son - of the right hand”, as it means in Hebrew, “Ben-jamin”. I know he is.

Hannah would be one who loved children. And she surely does!

Christen almost was named “Kristen”, but the Lord told us her name was to be spelled “Christen” – even as “Christ”, our Messiah and Lord.

If you think you were named by accident, or maybe don’t even like your name, trust that something as important as who you are, especially in the Lord’s eyes and heart, was not a mistake. The Lord knows you by name. When all is said and done, He calls you by your name, for He was certainly involved when you were in His heart from all eternity.

Just let Him know, even now, how grateful you are that He knows you. That He knows your name. You are special to Him. He loves you so much.

Ahava (love in Hebrew) to my family of friends,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

P.S. Our Lord has many names, as written in our Bible, the Scriptures, both in the Old Testament (Tanakh in Hebrew) and in the New Testament (B’rit Hadashah).

The one I like most is “Yeshua – “Adonai saves”.

E-mail: loveforhispeople@gmail.com martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin and Love For His People

Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople and ahavaloveletter

Blog: http://loveforhispeople.blogspot.com Full website: www.loveforhispeople.org

YouTube: Steve Martin (loveforhispeopleinc)

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858. Tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation.

Ahava Love Letter #56 “Your Name” Date: In the year of our Lord 2013 (05/31/13 Friday, 5:00 am. Charlotte, NC)

“Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

“Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?”

“…so that times of refreshing may come from the Lord’s presence;

and He may send the Messiah appointed in advance for you, that is,

Yeshua. He has to remain in heaven until the time comes for restoring

, as God said long ago, when He spoke through the holy prophets.

(Acts 3:20-12 CJB Complete Jewish Bible)

Dear family of friends,

“As I was walking down the street…Does anybody really know what time it is?”

These two lyric lines of Chicago’s 1969 hit “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” (Robert Lamm, Chicago, 1969) still strike me as being a bit prophetic. Did the Lord use a Top 40 to tell us something? Can He still? Hey, if He can use a donkey’s mouth to communicate, as in the case of Balaam the Old Testament guy, I believe He can, and does, use a classic secular song to speak to a generation, or two. Depends though on if we are really listening.

Walking down the street, and knowing what time it is, tells me these two things.

One, we are to be on the move. Not sitting around waiting to be raptured out of a mess. (“I’m getting out of here. We won’t be around for the big tribulation. Let the world go to hell if they want to” attitude.) Do you know who started that lie? The Liar himself.

And two, we are to know the time, for even as the end is drawing near, there is much work to do.

And who has the Lord appointed to do it? You and I.

And how is He going to get us to do it? By giving us power from on high, another Pentecost (Hebrew - Shavuot) moment. Both individually and collectively.

In April of 2013, the week of Passover (Pesach) and Resurrection Day (formerly known as Easter, another Liar lie), the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) re-fired me with His power and presence. After a three year waiting period, He needed once again to re-strengthen me, to take my rightful and needed place “on the job”. To do my part in getting His will and purposes done.

He is doing that recharging to others. He is getting His warriors back together in the army of God. He is on the move, and it is time for us to be also, in step with Him.

As I have watched the international, national, and local news over the last 10 years, it is obvious (at least to me) that the Church, the people of the Lord Jesus Christ (Yeshua HaMashiach) had fallen back in brokenness, despair, indebtedness, and bewilderment. It’s as if we were struck in the face and gut, and then staggered about like someone who just got out of bed, dazed and without a clue.

At least that was my view. How about yours?

But it is now time. It is time to receive His empowerment once again, to fill our spirits and souls, to get out on the street, where the people are. and to know what time it is. It is time to once again stand up as His godly men and women, to take the offensive in this world that the Father God of all creation loves so much.

So what next? Pray for that enduring power from on high. Seek the Lord as to what you are to be doing. Then get on doing it, for we all need your gifts and talents once again. Our dying world needs the Lord’s salvation. They need our light and inspiration.

He isn’t going to rapture us out of here. He is going to use us to bring His kingdom, as it is in heaven.

It is time. Now.

We are coming back, just as Jack Bauer (TV hit series 24) is.

JUST AS THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL,

YESHUA HAMASHIACH,

RIDING ON HIS MIGHTY,

TRIUMPAHT WHITE STEED

SURELY IS!

Ahava (love in Hebrew) to my family of friends,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

P.S. Having now done the 54^th edition of Ahava Love Letter is very special. 1954 was the year I was born. Always did like that year for some reason!

E-mail: loveforhispeople@gmail.com martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin and Love For His People

Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople and ahavaloveletter

Websites: http://loveforhispeople.blogspot.com www.loveforhispeople.org

YouTube: Steve Martin (loveforhispeopleinc)

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858. Tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation.

Ahava Love Letter #54 Date: In the year of our Lord 2013 (05/15/13 Wednesday 5:30 am. Charlotte, NC)

"Disappointment - His Appointment" - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

“Disappointment – His Appointment”

“…fixing our eyes on Jesus,

the author and perfecter of faith…”

(Heb. 12:2 (NAS)

Dear family of friends,

Phil Keaggy is a very gifted nine-finger guitarist, who many have said is better than another “famous” one, Jimi Hendrix. I never listened to Jimi (thank God!), but I loved Phil. I still have several of his albums (the real 33 1/3 black vinyl ones) and then several of his CDs. Great music; and his voice is very unique.

Phil is a cool guy. In one interview with Harmony Magazine in 1976 he spoke of being one of ten children, with his mother being a very devout Catholic. (We have only eight kids in our family, and were pretty good Catholics.) He also spoke of how he lost his one finger.

“I was born in 1951. In 1955 I lost a finger on my right hand, my middle finger. We lived on a farm in Hubbard, Ohio, which had a big water pump, and I was climbing up on it. As I was kneeling on top of the platform, it broke and the faucets came crashing down on my finger and cut it off.

I can remember it very vividly--as if it happened yesterday, and I can see my dad running down the hill, rescuing me, and taking me to the hospital. I can recall having a white cast and bandage; it was gigantic!

They tried to sew it on, but it didn't take, so I grew up with nine fingers. As a young kid, I was embarrassed about it a lot, especially when I was beginning to get into guitar. I used to be red when I'd play in front of people because I believed they were looking at my hand, which they probably weren't.”

Phil was living at the Love Inn in Upper New York State, with Scott Ross (700 Club) and Ted Sandquist (who wrote the song “All Praise To The Rock,” which our band Ahava Love sings) when Laurie and I were also in a common purse community in LaSalle/Peru, IL in the late ’70’s. He came to Victory Community with his band in 1978, and held a concert at LP High School. What a concert that was! (They then stayed in our homes.)

I had the joy of taking Phil to the Charlotte, NC airport after he sang at Derek Prince’s Memorial Service on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2003. What a day that was. (He has an album called “What A Day” (1973), so I thought I’d use that pun here. Hope you caught it.) He actually sang two songs during the two hours of honoring Derek. One was “What A Day” that I have on the recorded video tape of the service.

Keaggy wrote and sang another great song on one of his 63 albums, entitled “Love Broke Through.” That specific song is called “Disappointment.” (Released: October 1976 New Song)

When we sometimes think of disappointments in our lives, and dwell on the thought, “What was up with that, Lord?” Phil’s lyrics can surely help us in our considerations and wonderings. In fact, I still appreciate them so much, that I thought they are worth sharing here with you now. Read on…and allow the Lord to speak to you.

Disappointment - His appointment,
Change one letter, then I see
That the thwarting of my purpose
Is God's better choice for me.

His appointment must be blessing
Though it may come in disguise
For the end from the beginning,
Open to His wisdom lies.

Disappointment - His appointment
Whose? The Lord's who loves best.
Understands and knows me fully,
Who my faith and love would test.

For like loving, earthy parent
He rejoices when He knows
That His child accepts unquestioned
All that from His wisdom flows.

Disappointment - His appointment
No good thing will He withhold
From denials oft we gather
Treasures from His love untold.

Well, He knows each broken purpose
Leads to fuller deeper trust
And the end of all His dealings
Proves our God is wise and just.

Disappointment - His appointment
Lord I take it then as such,
Like the clay in hands of potter
Yielding wholly to Thy touch.

All my life's plan is Thy molding
Not one single choice be mine
Let me answer unrepining,
Father not my will but Thine.

(Phil Keaggy)

These lines stood out to me. “His appointment must be blessing, though it may come in disguise, for the end from the beginning, open to His wisdom lies. Disappointment - His appointment. Whose? The Lord's who loves best. Understands and knows me fully, Who my faith and love would test.”

If you recently had a disappointment, or even one from years ago that still haunts you, such as, “They should have done this”, or “You could have done that, but…,” consider again the answer to the “Whys” and the “Why Nots?” that we often ask ourselves and others. Start to trust again. As you seek Him, you will find that the answer will always be found in Yeshua (Jesus).

Let’s give our disappointments up to the Lord. We don’t need to keep fretting over what has been done. Move on. Get your eyes and faith fixed once again on Him, the Author and Finisher of your faith and mine.

He loves you. You can always be sure of that. Rest in His peace, His leading, His provision.

Ahava to you my family of friends,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People, Inc.

E-mail: ahavaloveletters@gmail.com

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Ahava Love letter #16 Date: Feb. 22, in the year of our Lord 2011

Now Think On This & Ahava Love Letters

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

"Hidden" - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

Monday, October 28, 2013

“Your Assignment” - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

“Support for the Household of Faith - In Israel” - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

SAFE, ON-LINE GIVING TO LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE, INC. (OUR NON-PROFIT MINISTRY)

Sunday, October 27, 2013

“Angels & Entertainment” - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

“We Speak To Nations” - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

“Your Name” - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

“Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

"Disappointment - His Appointment" - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

Ahava in Hebrew letters.