“Love The One You Are With”
“For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing…” (Cor. 2:15 NAS)
“For to God we are the aroma of the Messiah, both among those being saved and among those being lost; (2 Cor. 2:15 Complete Jewish Bible – CJB)
“For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing…” (Cor. 2:15 NAS)
“For to God we are the aroma of the Messiah, both among those being saved and among those being lost; (2 Cor. 2:15 Complete Jewish Bible – CJB)
Dear family of friends,
Sometimes I feel "conflicted" in my soul. I want to be out with the people, for His heart for them burns with love and compassion; and at other times I want to be with His people, for His heart burns with love and compassion for them.
Over the many years of walking with the Lord, I know His heart is the same for both – those who know Him and seek His face continually, and those who don’t know Him, and are lost, seeking that which can’t fill the void in their hearts. But this I know – His immense heart of love beats with compassion for both groups of people. He is the God of Love, the God of Ahava - that beautiful word in Hebrew for love.
So what do I do when I feel torn, wanting to be with those who don’t know of His love for them, and the time that it takes to be with them? Or use the time to be gathered with His people, whom I have a strong kinship with? How do we know what time it is to do what, when?
Remember the song of years gone by, “Love the One You’re With”? ("Love the One You're With" is a 1970 single by folk rocker Stephen Stills. The first release from his solo debut Stephen Stills, it peaked at No. 14 in the Billboard Hot 100.) Though I don’t remember the lyrics that once were in my memory banks, I can agree with the title words. The younger generation, my children’s age, may not know this song. But more and more my heart goes out to them, as they try so many things which can destroy their lives.
My current job puts me in contact with college age interns, trying to get their foot in the door for the career they seek. Most often they do not have a clue as to what they really need, in order to be fulfilled. I can at least be a father image to them (who many have not really had) and share His love for them. Even if I don’t say the words, they know the difference. One 20 year old intern wrote in a thank you note to me, sent after she left, of how she had not met many people who had the “spirit” I have. I hope the next place she is at has someone who can plant another seed in her heart. The One she longs for is not far away from her.
I give thanks to my friend, Holy Spirit, Ruach KaKodesh, Who has been given to us to be as our Guide, as the One who will help direct our steps, and our hearts. He will let us know when, where and how, so we can truly love the ones we are with. His timing, as we listen for His Voice, will direct our steps as to when and where we are to be during our daily walk.
Time we spend with those who may have no knowledge of the Lord Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) heart for them will enable them to “see” Him, as the presence of His Holy Spirit in us counters that of other spirits. As the Bible says, we are “a fragrance”, “the aroma” to those currently lost.
Working in the marketplace gives us the opportunity to be “in the world, but not of the world.” Our presence among the people opens a door to share the love of God with them. Sometimes, as it is said, we need to use words when necessary. How will they hear without us being the ones who share His love with them? The ones I work with don’t step foot in a church building. We must step foot into their buildings.
The Lord’s heart burns for the unsaved. His desire is to see all come to know Him, and receive eternal salvation. If you are out there in the world, the marketplace, be the light He has put in you, for them. Shine and allow His Holy Spirit, living within you, draw them to the Messiah. Then they too can join the community of saints, that we long to be with even more so.
Ahava to my family of friends,
Steve Martin
Sometimes I feel "conflicted" in my soul. I want to be out with the people, for His heart for them burns with love and compassion; and at other times I want to be with His people, for His heart burns with love and compassion for them.
Over the many years of walking with the Lord, I know His heart is the same for both – those who know Him and seek His face continually, and those who don’t know Him, and are lost, seeking that which can’t fill the void in their hearts. But this I know – His immense heart of love beats with compassion for both groups of people. He is the God of Love, the God of Ahava - that beautiful word in Hebrew for love.
So what do I do when I feel torn, wanting to be with those who don’t know of His love for them, and the time that it takes to be with them? Or use the time to be gathered with His people, whom I have a strong kinship with? How do we know what time it is to do what, when?
Remember the song of years gone by, “Love the One You’re With”? ("Love the One You're With" is a 1970 single by folk rocker Stephen Stills. The first release from his solo debut Stephen Stills, it peaked at No. 14 in the Billboard Hot 100.) Though I don’t remember the lyrics that once were in my memory banks, I can agree with the title words. The younger generation, my children’s age, may not know this song. But more and more my heart goes out to them, as they try so many things which can destroy their lives.
My current job puts me in contact with college age interns, trying to get their foot in the door for the career they seek. Most often they do not have a clue as to what they really need, in order to be fulfilled. I can at least be a father image to them (who many have not really had) and share His love for them. Even if I don’t say the words, they know the difference. One 20 year old intern wrote in a thank you note to me, sent after she left, of how she had not met many people who had the “spirit” I have. I hope the next place she is at has someone who can plant another seed in her heart. The One she longs for is not far away from her.
I give thanks to my friend, Holy Spirit, Ruach KaKodesh, Who has been given to us to be as our Guide, as the One who will help direct our steps, and our hearts. He will let us know when, where and how, so we can truly love the ones we are with. His timing, as we listen for His Voice, will direct our steps as to when and where we are to be during our daily walk.
Time we spend with those who may have no knowledge of the Lord Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) heart for them will enable them to “see” Him, as the presence of His Holy Spirit in us counters that of other spirits. As the Bible says, we are “a fragrance”, “the aroma” to those currently lost.
Working in the marketplace gives us the opportunity to be “in the world, but not of the world.” Our presence among the people opens a door to share the love of God with them. Sometimes, as it is said, we need to use words when necessary. How will they hear without us being the ones who share His love with them? The ones I work with don’t step foot in a church building. We must step foot into their buildings.
The Lord’s heart burns for the unsaved. His desire is to see all come to know Him, and receive eternal salvation. If you are out there in the world, the marketplace, be the light He has put in you, for them. Shine and allow His Holy Spirit, living within you, draw them to the Messiah. Then they too can join the community of saints, that we long to be with even more so.
Ahava to my family of friends,
Steve Martin
Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858.
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Go here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: www.loveforhispeople.org/support
Contribution checks can be sent to:
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Todah rabah! (Hebrew - Thank you very much.)
Please share this Ahava Love Letter with your friends.
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)
Ahava Love Letter #81 “Love The One You Are With” ©2013 Steve Martin
Date: In the year of our Lord 2013 (10/20/13 Sunday at 7:45 am in Charlotte, NC
Go here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: www.loveforhispeople.org/support
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.)
Please share this Ahava Love Letter with your friends.
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)
Ahava Love Letter #81 “Love The One You Are With” ©2013 Steve Martin
Date: In the year of our Lord 2013 (10/20/13 Sunday at 7:45 am in Charlotte, NC
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