Wholeheartedly by Steve Martin

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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 by Steve Martin

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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

Pictured:

Top: Steve with sons Josh and Ben.

Bottom: Steve with daughters Hannah and Christen

Fathers and Sons

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Sons Josh and Ben with Dad. The Lord knows.

“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

Ahava and Shalom,

Steve Martin

Original photo. Steve and Ben April 24, 2026 in the Carolinas.