One common theme among those who mentioned they would miss WFTD was the straightforward way God and His word are presented. The Apostle Paul, one of my all-time favorite Bible heroes, told us to go forth and boldly preach the Gospel. Many of my friends and acquaintances refuse to do so. Perhaps they don’t want to be portrayed as a Jesus freak, or politically incorrect, and choose to remain a “closet Christian”. I have received many letters through the years concerning this subject.
In September 2009 I went to Washington D.C. I attended the Inc. Magazine 500/5000 conference and was asked to be a keynote speaker. It provided me an opportunity to give my testimony to about 3500 very sophisticated top business leaders of the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the country. It was funny to me because Barrack Obama’s secretary of Commerce spoke just prior to me. Apparently, despite his huge entourage and $2000 suit, I can’t remember anyone clapping after he spoke and gave his glowing report of our failing economy. I was dressed casually and spoke of Jesus and got a standing ovation. Go figure. Little did I know that a future WFTD reader was in attendance. He wrote me a couple of days ago and said the following:
Hi Bob,
You have been a constant inspiration and role model of someone dedicated to serving the Lord. Even with this pause or discontinuation of Words for the Day, you are demonstrating a careful examination and seeking Gods guidance. I greatly appreciate you and all the work you do and have done.
My wife and I have read Words for the Day since we saw you speak at an Inc 5000 conference many years ago. We read your book and your posts and have laughed and cried with you and prayed for you and those you wrote about, but I have very infrequently written in response. I never write when I disagree (which is seldom) and I hesitate to write otherwise because I have incorrectly assumed that you receive a great deal of email. I apologize for assuming, it was wrong of me.
I will continue to pray for you and the work God will put your hand to in the coming weeks, months, and years.
Best regards . . .
Please watch the following video of my INC 500 speech to these accomplished businesspeople.
I could have railed about business and my business acumen but chose to give God all the credit for all that was accomplished. I was not about to waste an opportunity to speak to so many people about what Jesus did in my life. I remembered the verse in Isaiah 52:7 – How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” I could speak a million times and still not scratch the surface of my indebtedness to Jesus for my undeserved salvation. I cannot imagine being ashamed of Jesus Christ or being a Christian in the presence of world leaders or homeless people on the street. I say proudly stand up for Jesus Christ and take advantage of every opportunity you receive to proclaim His goodness.
Luke 9:26
“For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels”