November 5 2018 – Click here to listen
A happy successful entrepreneur who had already founded some 20 plus companies, suddenly decided to step down as CEO of his latest multi-million-dollar venture and take a demanding job with no pay, perks, or benefits and take on the burden of being the financier of yet another start-up. Only this start-up was fulltime ministry and it would never yield the financial rewards he was accustomed to making once he established a start-up into a viable entity. His friends and family thought he’d lost his mind when he announced his plan.
What could have possibly caused this sudden career and lifestyle change?
His Savior the Lord Jesus!
The man was me and I made the decision while flying back from Montana where I’d been spending some time working on a book, a biblically based but fictional novel of how the Great Commission, (the preaching of the Gospel and discipling of every nation), would occur. As the plane sped through the sky, I began wondering how this prophecy might actually be fulfilled. In my book I had an entire array of characters who devised elaborate plans to pull it off. I thought, I wonder who will actually do it in real life.
It was at that time I distinctly heard the voice of the Lord, “Well, how about you? Why can’t you be a part of it?”
Huh? I’m not a pastor; I’m not qualified; I didn’t attend seminary; I’m at the end of my career, not the beginning; I have lots of bad stuff on my resume . . .
I had every excuse in the book. I tried to dismiss it, but it proved to be impossible. Needless to say, if the Lord says “go,” you don’t say “no,” at least I don’t, and God gave me the vision and the Jesus Alliance was born. Since the outset I’ve received satanic attack as never before in my life. The health and wealth of my wife and I were viciously attacked, friends betrayed me, and at times I was greatly frustrated and discouraged, but whenever I reached rock bottom I would pray to God and He always came through, sometimes in powerful ways. Most memorable was when a man from England whom I’d never met or heard of and likewise for him was awakened by the Holy Spirit at 1:30 a.m. and instructed to “tell the Jesus Alliance I’ve heard their prayers.” The problem was he’d never heard of the Jesus Alliance or me and had to resort to Google in order to fulfill his obligation and track me down and make this known to be from several thousand miles away on a different continent.
Quite naturally this was a game changer for my attitude and my depression evaporated. Since that time I have fought tenaciously through many storms and rested during periods of calm and today the Jesus Alliance is making excellent progress and this year we’ve already reached over 25 million people for the Lord. If you ask me if it was worth the sacrifice, I would say, “What sacrifice?” I’m working directly for Jesus Christ and a better employer could never be found. He’s rewarded me many times over anything I could possibly invest. I’m a part of the body of Christ, His church, and I’m performing my purpose as best I know how. I encourage you to take a look around and find a place to serve the Lord. It might be mowing the yard for your place of worship, teaching a child to read, volunteering for a mission trip, founding a worldwide prayer event, or becoming a part of an already established ministry as a volunteer, donor, or prayer warrior, or like me being a part of fulfilling the Great Commission. Together we can make a difference and shine light on the darkness.
Ask yourself, “Why not me? Why can’t I be a part of it?
Psalm 37:23
The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;